'^yN>i£jr^V^OLr\>-^vv. oW</N^ tAv" .'\>Ci|r>ytlrv.- 



THE HISTORICAL MEMORIAL 



CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

OF THE 

y 

PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON 



HELD IN HUNTINGDON. PA.. APRIL 9. 1895 



PUBLISHED BY 

THE AUTHORITY OF THE PRESBYTERY 



1795—1895 



(mn 9 1897 1 



PH ILADELPHIA 

PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 
1896 



\V\^ 






Copyright, 1896, 

BY 

The Presbytery of Huntingdon. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Centennial Anniversary of the Presbytery of Huntingdon was 
held in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, April 9, 1895. 

It was the unanimous sentiment of the Presbytery that the Cen- 
tennial Sermon and addresses of the occasion should be published 
and preserved in the permanent form of a memorial volume. And it 
was decided that the book should comprise as far as possible a com- 
plete and reliable history -of the Presbytery of Huntingdon during 
the past century. 

Such a volume would set forth the history of the rise and progress 
of Presbytery throughout seven counties of Central Pennsylvania. 

It would preserve in permanent form historical facts and data of 
immense value to future generations of Presbyterians. 

It would afford a reliable basis for future history when our suc- 
cessors in 1995 should observe the Second Centenary of the Presbytery. 

The work, we believe, will not disappoint the expectation of our 
people. It will be of great and permanent value to Presbyterians. It 
will inspire our people with renewed love and loyalty for their church 
as they read of the toils and trials and triumphs of the Fathers, — 
those heroic and devoted men who laid the foundations of our beloved 
Zion in these mountainous regions a century ago. 

We trust that the work will accomplish great good, and may God 
use it for his own glory. 

3 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

The committee of publication ventures to call special attention to 
the great historical value of the exhaustive index which has been pre- 
pared through the kindness of Mr. J. C. Blair. The use of this index 
will enable the descendants of the founders of Presbyterianism in 
Central Pennsylvania to avail themselves of the vast fund of genea- 
logical information contained in this volume, and makes immediately 
available the treasures of local history which the sketches of individual 
churches contain. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



I. Programme. The Public Exercises connected with 
of the Huntingdon Presbytery : 

1. Prayer 

2. Centennial Sermon 

3. Prayer 

4. Fragments that Remain 

5. The Sources of Presbyterianism in Hunt- 

ingdon Presbytery 

6. The Bench and Bar during the Past Cen- 

tury, as viewed from the Presbyterian 
Stand-point 

7. Prayer . , 

8. The Debt and Duty of Presbyterians . . 

9. The Outlook 

10. Presbyterian Influence 

11. Centennial Hymn 

12. Prayer 



the Centennial Anniversary 

Rev. D. H. Barron, D.D. . 

Rev. J. H. Mathers, D.D. . 

Rev. A. H. Parker . . . . 

Rev. Joseph C. Kelly . . 



D. W. Woods, Esq. 



Hon. A. S. Landis . . . . 
Rev. R. M. Wallace, D.D. 
Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, D.D. 
General James A. Beaver . 

Hon. John Scott 

Rev. D. K. Freeman, D.D. 
Rev. R. F. Wilson . . . . 



n. Historical Sketches of the following Churches: 



Alexandria 105 

Altoona, First 108 

Altoona, Second no 

Altoona, Third 117 

Altoona, Broad Avenue ... 119 

Bald Eagle 122 

Bedford 124 

Bellefonte 125 

Bethel 130 

Beulah 130 

Birmingham 131 

Bradford 139 

Buffalo Run 140 

Clearfield 142 

Coalport 145 

Curwensville 145 

Duncans ville 147 

East Kishacoquillas 147 

Everett 155 

Fruit Hill 156 



PAGE 

Gibson Memorial 158 

Glen Hope 159 

Hollidaysburg 159 

Houtzdale 165 

Hublersburg 167 

Huntingdon 168 

Hyndman 174 

Irvona 174 

Juniata 175 

Kermoor 177 

Kylertown 178 

Lewistown 179 

Lick Run 183 

Little Valley 183 

Logan's Valley 193 

Lo.'-t Creek 196 

Lower Spruce Creek 199 

Lower Tuscarora 200 

McVeytown 203 

Madera 210 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Mann's Choice ....... 210 

Mapleton 211 

Middle Tuscarora 214 

Milesburg 215 

Milroy 216 

Moshannon and Snow Shoe . . 220 

Mount Union 221 

Newton Hamilton 225 

Orbisonia 228 

Osceola 229 

Peru Mills 230 

Petersburg 232 

Philipsburg 232 

Pine Grove 234 

Port Royal 235 

Robertsdale 237 

Saxton 239 

Schellsburg 239 

III. History of the Sunday-Schools 
Campbell 



Shade Gap 240 

Shaver's Creek 248 

Shirleysburg 249 

Sinking Creek 250 

Sinking Valley 261 

Spring Creek 250 

Spring Mills 264 

Spruce Creek 264 

State College 270 

Tyrone 272 

Upper Tuscarora 2S0 

Waterside 282 

West Kishacoquillas 282 

Westminster 287 

Williamsburg 290 

Winburn 294 

Woodland 295 

Yellow Creek 295 

OF THE Presbytery. Rev. D. 



IV. Woman's Foreign Missionary Work of the Presbytery for One Hun- 
dred Years. Miss Catherine W. Stewart 330 

V. Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of Huntingdon Presbytery. Mrs. 

N. D. Orbison 333 

VI. Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Presbytery of Huntingdon 339 

VII. Woman's Home Missionary Work of the Presbytery for One Hun- 
dred Years. Mrs. Julia A. Dorris 340 

VIII. Historical Sketch of the Young People's Work. Rev. H. G. 

Furbay, Ph.D 362 

IX. Growth and Development of Young People's Work. Tabulated by Rev. 

H. G. Furbay, Ph.D 366 

X. A List of all Ministers for the Century; when licensed, ordained, 

received, Time of Service, etc. Rev. R. F. Wilson, Stated Cierk . . 368 

XI. List of Stated Clerks for same Period, and Time of Service for 

One Hundred Years. Rev. R. F. Wilson, Stated Clerk 380 



INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. 



OPPOSITE 
PAGE 

Alexandria Church 107 

Allison, Rev. Matthew, D.D 287 

Altoona, Second Church 113 

Altoona, Taird Church 117 

Bain, Rev. John W 109 

Barnard, Rev. Jos. H 125 

Barnard, Rev. J. H., D.D 273 

Barr, Rev. John C 251 

Barr, Samuel W 277 

Barron, Rev. David H., D.D 11 

Beaver, General James A., LL.D. ... 12 

Bell, General Wm 289 

Bellefonte Chapel 129 

Bellefonte Church 127 

Birmingham Church 133 

Blair, Samuel S 277 

Brown, Rev. Matthew, D.D 287 

Brown, Samuel T 171 

Campbell, Rev. D. H 221 

Campbell, Rev. Howard N 119 

Campbell, J. M Ill 

Campbell, Rev. R. M 17 

Clarke, Rev. A. B 109 

Clarke, John 291 

Clarke, Rev. John H 273 

Clarke, Rowan, M.D 277 

Clearfield Church 142 

Coale, Rev. J. J 261 

Cornelius, Rev. M. N 109 

Craighead, Rev. David Elder 144 

Crawford, John A 261 

Curwensville Church 147 

Curwensville Manse 146 

Davies, Rev. John R., D.D 273 

Decker, Rev. Wm. Harrison 221 

Diener, Rev. John F 105 

Dorris, William 171 



OPPOSITE 
PAGE 

Dyer, William N 144 

Elliot, Rev. Geo 233 

Ellsworth, J. F 291 

Freeman, Rev. D. K., D.D 169 

Furbay, Rev. Harvey Grseme, Ph.D. . 273 

Gemmill, Rev. Wm 167 

Gibb, Rev. William 175 

Goheen, J. Calvin 277 

Goodhart, Geo. L 255 

Grier, L. G., Ph.D 135 

Groninger, Henry M 289 

Haley, James 175 

Hamill, Rev. Robt., D.D 251 

Hart's Log Token 61 

Hartswick, Dr. J. G 143 

Hawes, Rev. Lowman P 169 

Hays, Rev. Loyal Y 287 

Henry, Rev. H. H 135 

Hills, A. M., D.D.S 143 

HoUidaysburg Church l6l 

Hollifield, Rev. A. N., D.D 169 

Houtzdale Church 165 

Huntingdon Church (present building) . 170 

" " (first building) . . 173 

" " (second building) . 173 

Huntingdon Presbytery Title 

Hutchinson, Rev. John, D.D 287 

Irvin, Colonel E. A 144 

Irvine, Rev. J. E 119 

Irvona Church and Manse 174 

Johnson, Rev. John 169 

Johnston, Robert M 175 

Kelly, Rev. Joseph C 291 

Kerns, Henry 144 

Kerr, William 255 

Kishacoquillas, East Church 149 

Kumler, Rev. J. P. E., D.D II 

7 



INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. 



OPPOSITE 
PAGE 

Landis, Hon. A. S 12 

Laurie, Rev. Wm., D.D 125 

Lewey, Rev. Emil 119 

Lewistown Church 181 

Lick Run Church . 183 

Lindley, A. T ill 

Linn, Rev. James, D.D 125 

Logan's Valley Church (Bellwood) . . 195 

" (Tipton) ... 197 

Lewder, J. G 261 

Lowrie, J. R 135 

McAlevy, Geo. M 171 

McCamant, Colonel Samuel 277 

McCarthy, C. R 171 

McCarthy, W. B 171 

McCauley, H. K in 

McClean, Rev. O. O., D.D. ..... 169 

McCormick, Wm 291 

McDonald, Rev. Noah A., D.D. . - . 105 

McEwen, E 175 

McGinnes, Rev. J. Y 247 

McKinley, Rev. R. A., Ph.D., D.D. . 143 

McVeytown Church 205 

McVeytown Manse ......... 207 

MacDonald, Rev. J. A. . 167 

Mann, C. J , . Ill 

Martin, Geo. H 289 

Mateer, Rev. E. H 221 

Mathers, Rev. Joseph H., D.D 17 

Means, Rev. H. F 233 

Milesburg Church and Manse 217 

Milligan, Wm 255 

Milnwood Academy Buildings .... 247 

Moore, Rev. Samuel M 273 

Morrow, John H 261 

Moss, J. H 175 

Mutchmore, Rev. S. A., D.D., LL.D. . 11 

Orbison, Wm. P 171 

Parker, Rev. Andrew H 221 

Pearce, H. D 175 

Peebles, Rev. John 169 

Porter, John 233 

Potter, Joshua 255 

Potter, Joshua T 255 

Prideaux, Rev. William 251 

Read, John A 144 



OPPOSITE 

Read, Miles 143 

Read, Thompson 143 

Reed, Frank B 143 

Roller, James 291 

Ross, W. S., M.D Ill 

Saxton Church 239 

Scott, Hon. John 12 

Shade Gap Churches 245 

Shade Gap Church plan 244 

Sieber, J. F 289 

Shannon, John 255 

Simpson, J. R 171 

Sinking Creek Churches 253 

Sinking Valley Church 263 

Spence, James 144 

Spring Creek Church 257 

State College Church 271 

Stewart, S. C. 135 

Stewart, Rev. W. E 105 

Stiles, Rev. Henry Howard in 

Templeton, Chambers 277 

Thompson, M. W ill 

Token of Charleston, South Carolina, 

Church 61 

Tuscarora Church and Manse (lower) . 203 

Tuscarora Churches (middle) 215 

Tyrone Church 275 

Tyrone Manse 279 

Vantues, Samuel 255 

Wallace, Rev. R. M., D.D 17 

Warrior's Mark Chapel 133 

Weaver, John T 143 

Westminster Church 288 

Wiley, Rev. W. T 125 

Williams, Rev. R. G 105 

Williamsburg Church 293 

Williamsburg Manse 295 

Wilson, George W 289 

Wilson, John F 277 

Wilson, Rev. R. F 17 

Woods, D. W 12 

Wright, Rev. W. 251 

Young, Rev. Sylvester Wylie 261 

Youngman, B. C 143 

Zahniser, Rev. George W 169 



WARRANT. 



The following is the record of the Act of the General Assembly 
forming the Presbytery of Huntingdon, 1795 : "The General Assembly 
of the Presbyterian Church of the United States in America having 
erected such of the members of the Carlisle Presbytery as were situated 
north of, or by a line drawn along the Juniata River, from the mouth 
up to the Tuscarora Mountain, and along the Tuscarora to the head of 
Path Valley; thence westerly to the eastern boundary of the Presbytery 
of Redstone, so on to leave the congregation of Bedford to the south, 
into a Presbytery by the name of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and 
appointed their first meeting on the second Tuesday of April, a.d. 1795, 
to be held at Mr. Martin's church in Penn's Valley; in consequence 
of this Act of the General Assembly, the Presbytery of Huntingdon 
met at the place and the day aforesaid." 

In accordance with the resolution previously adopted, the Presbytery 
of Huntingdon, April 9, 1895, observed the Centennial Anniversary of 
this organization. These exercises were of such nature, historically, 
that the Presbytery authorized the publication of a memorial volume, 
which would preserve the historical and other addresses of this 
occasion. 

Rev. Harvey Graeme Furbay, Ph.D., Chairman, Rev. D. K. Free- 
man, D.D., Rev. R. F. Wilson, Editor, Gen. James A. Beaver, and Mr. 
J. C. Blair were appointed a committee to publish this book. 




" noO^RATOK ■" 
OF THE 



:^^- ^ 



RflTo''\ General 

ASsenetY 



Rev. 5. A.nujcHno re ,D. D.LL.D. 



PN> ^kr\ 




'4 



4 



i\tv, David H. Bar RON.D.D. 

/Moderator of the: 
/I^NTINGDON -fRESBYTERr 



MODERATORS. 



HISTORICAL MEMORIAL. 



PRELIMINARY ACTION TOUCHING THE CENTENNIAL. 

It may be well to note, as a part of the history, the action of the 
Presbytery taken in advance of the observance of the Centennial. 

At an adjourned meeting of the Presbytery, held at Bellwood, June 
I 2, 1894, the Revs. David H. Barron, D.D., George Elliott, and Joseph H. 
Mathers, D.D., with Elders General James A. Beaver and John Clark, 
were appointed a committee to consider the propriety of observing in 
some special manner the Centennial Anniversary of the Organization of 
the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and report at the stated October meeting, 
1894. 

During the sessions of Presbytery, at Reedsville, October 3, 1894, the 
Special Committee on the Centennial of Presbytery reported that it has 
carefully considered the subject committed to it, and recommends, — 

First. — That the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Organization 
of the Presbytery be observed at Huntingdon, on the second Tuesday 
(being the ninth day) of April, 1895. 

Second. — That, in order to devote the entire day to the observance of 
the Anniversary, Presbytery suspend a standing rule in regard to the 
spring meeting, and convene for organization and preliminary business 
on Monday evening next preceding the second Tuesday of April, 1895 
(being the eighth day of the month), at 7.30 p.m. 

Third. — That the Rev. D. H. Barron, D.D., preside at the celebration. 

Fourth. — That the Rev. Robert Hamill, D.D., be invited to deliver a 
Centennial historical sermon in the morning at ten o'clock ; that the Rev. 
J. C. Kelly be invited to deliver an address upon " Local History and 
Biography" ; that the Rev. George Elliott be invited to deliver an 
address upon" Personal Reminiscences of the Churches and Members of 
the Presbytery" ; that David W. Woods, Sr., Esq., be invited to deliver 
an address upon "The Sources of Presbyterianism in Huntingdon Pres- 



12 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

bytery" ; and that the Hon. John Scott, formerly of Huntingdon, be 
invited to deliver an address upon " The Influence of Presbyterianism 
in Central Pennsylvania" ; and that after each of the last-mentioned four 
addresses opportunity be given for voluntary remarks by the members 
of Presbytery and visitors upon the subject-matter of the addresses. 

Fifth. — That if the day be not entirely consumed vi^ith the programme 
hereinbefore outlined, that the evening be devoted to a popular meeting, 
the main topic for which shall be " The Work of the Presbytery and the 
Outlook for the Future." 

All of which is respectfully submitted. James A. Beaver, Secretary; 
D. H. Barron, Chairman. 

The report was accepted and adopted. 

The Committee was continued, with authority to fill any appoint- 
ments which might be declined and to add the names of others to lead 
in prayer and make addresses. 

Dr. Hamill having declined to fill his appointment on account of 
impaired health, the Committee appointed the Rev. Joseph H. Mathers, 
D.D., in his place. They appointed the Hon. Augustus S. Landis to 
make an address on " The Bench and Bar During the Past Century as 
Viewed from the Presbyterian Stand-point." The Committee also arranged 
for addresses at the evening session, by Rev. Samuel A. Mutchmore, 
D.D., LL.D., Moderator of the General Assembly; by Rev. J. P. E. 
Kumler, D.D., Moderator of the Synod of Pennsylvania ; and by General 
James A. Beaver. 

The Rev. George Elliott, who had been appointed to make an address, 
died March 15, 1895. 

When Presbytery had convened at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, on 
the 9th day of April, 1895, and were now ready at 10 o'clock a.m. to 
proceed with the Centennial exercises, the Special Committee reported a 
completed order of services, which was accepted and adopted. The 
Moderator of Presbytery, Rev. Dr. D. H. Barron (in the thirty-fourth 
year of his pastorate in the church of Hollidaysburg), presided. 

The doxology, " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," etc., was 
sung. 

The invocation was made by the Rev. Sylvester S. Bergen, the last 
Moderator. 

Hymn 435, " Dundee," " Our God, our help in ages past," etc., was 
sung. 

Scripture selections from the first, second, and third chapters of 




RULING ELDERS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 3 

Ephesians and of the twenty-third Psalm were read by the Rev. David 
K. Freeman, D.D. 

The Moderator, Dr. Barron, led in prayer (see page 15), after which 
Hymn 4, " Old Hundred," " All people that on earth do dwell," etc., was 
sung. 

The Rev. Joseph Hutchison Mathers, D.D., then delivered the Cen- 
tennial Sermon from Deuteronomy iv. 32, — " For ask now of the days 
that are past" (see page 16), — after which the Rev. Richard Morrow 
Campbell led in prayer. 

Hymn 32, "Coronation," "All hail the power of Jesus's name," etc., 
was sung. 

In the temporary absence of Rev. John W. Bain, who had been 
appointed, the benediction was pronounced by the Moderator. 

Presbytery took a recess till 2 P.M. 

After recess. Presbytery met at 2 p.m. 

Hymn 575, " Shirland," " I love thy kingdom, Lord," etc., was sung, 
when the Rev. Andrew H. Parker led in prayer (see page 39), after 
which the Rev. Joseph C. Kelly delivered an address on " Fragments 
that Remain" (see page 40). 

Hymn 569, " Arcadia," " Where are kings and empires now," etc., 
was sung. 

David Walker Woods, Esq., dehvered an address on " The Sources 
of Presbyterianism in Huntingdon Presbytery" (see page 64), after which 
Hymn 830, "America," " God bless our native land," etc., was sung. 

The Hon. Augustus S. Landis made an address on " The Bench and 
Bar During the Past Century, as Viewed from the Presbyterian Stand- 
point" (see page 71). 

Hymn 790, " Auld Lang Syne," " Jerusalem, my happy home," etc., 
led by the Rev. H. Howard Stiles, as Precentor, was sung. 

A recess till 7 p.m. was taken. 

The Centennial exercises were resumed. In the absence of the 
Moderator, the Rev. J. H. Mathers, D.D., presided. 

After a voluntary by the choir, Hymn 373, " Dundee," " Let children 
hear the mighty deeds," etc., was sung. Prayer was offered by the Rev. 
Robert M. Wallace, D.D. (see page 84). Then Hymn 884, " Rocking- 
ham," " O God ! beneath Thy guiding hand," etc., was sung. 

Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, D.D., Moderator of the Synod of Pennsyl- 
vania, made an address on " The Debt and Duty of Presbyterians" (see 
page 85). 



14 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Hymn 951, "Webb," "Stand up, stand up for Jesus," etc., was sung. 

Following this the Rev. Samuel A. Mutchmore, D.D., LL.D., 
Moderator of the General Assembly, delivered an address on " The 
Oddities and Sublimities of Presbyterians." 

Hymn 651, " Middleton," " Glorious things of Thee are spoken," etc., 
was sung. 

General James A. Beaver, late Governor of Pennsylvania, addressed 
the Presbytery on " The Outlook" (see page 90). 

Hymn i, " Lyons," " Ye servants of God ! your Master proclaim," 
etc., was sung. 

The next address was by Hon. John Scott, of Philadelphia, but 
formerly of Huntingdon, on " Presbyterian Influence" (see page 98). 

A Centennial hymn, written by Rev. Dr. Freeman, was sung (see page 
103), after which the Rev. S. S. Gilson, D.D., an editor of the Pres- 
byterian Baiiner, of Pittsburg, made a brief closing address. Rev. 
Robert F. Wilson, in the absence of Rev. Robert Hamill, D.D., offered 
the concluding prayer (see page 104). 

Hymn 597, " Dennis," " Blest be the tie that binds," etc., was sung. 

Presbytery adjourned till 9 a.m. to-morrow. 

The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. James P. Hughes, in 
the absence of the Rev. Wm. Prideaux, who had been named in the 
programme. 

These commemorative ceremonies were deeply interesting to all who 
attended upon them, and doubtless the coming generations who may 
read the record of this anniversary will heartily thank the Presbytery 
for this information. Verily, God has led the Presbytery in paths very 
pleasant, and crowned its labors with large success. 

Robert F. Wilson, 6". C. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 5 

PRAYER. 
REV. D. H. BARRON, D.D. 

Almighty and Everlasting God, thou art our God, and we will praise 
thee. Thou art our fathers' God, and we will exalt thee. 

We adore thee as the God of the Bible and of the church and of 
the Covenant and of the promises, the God of thy people and of their 
children, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father 
in him. 

We come to praise thee for thy goodness and for thy wonderful 
works to the children of men. 

We thank thee that thou hast chosen a people for thyself, and hast 
established thy church upon the earth. We thank thee for the Bible 
and the Sabbath and the living ministry, for the ordinances of thy house, 
for all the means of grace, and for the hope of eternal life. 

We thank thee for Jesus Christ, thy Son and Saviour, Head of the 
church and Head over all things to the church, and for all the mani- 
festations of thy love and grace and power in him ; for all that comes 
to us in thy grace, through his perfect life, his atoning death, his glorious 
resurrection, and his ever-living intercession. 

We praise thee, O God, for thy divine care of thy church through 
all the ages to this day; that in the midst of all perils and against all 
foes thou hast so mercifully and mightily preserved her, hast so added 
to her members, and so extended her influence among the nations of the 
earth, according to thy eternal purpose and thy covenant promise. 

We thank thee for this Presbytery ; for its organization by thy ser- 
vants a hundred years ago, and for its preservation and enlargement 
through all the years to this day. 

We bless thee for the faith and courage and hope of our fathers, in 
bringing the gospel to this region and planting thy church in these 
valleys in the face of trials and hardships and perils. We bless thee 
this day for all that thou hast enabled this Presbytery to do in the cen- 
tury that has passed, in holding fast thy word, in maintaining the ordi- 
nances of thy house, in the work of Christian education and of Christian 
missions, in all that pertains to the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
It is all of thy sovereign grace and almighty power, and we give to thee 
this day the praise and the glory. 

We thank thee, our Father, that thou hast brought us here to-day 



l6 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

to review and record thy dealings with thy church in the past, and to 
praise thee for thy goodness to us now. Make us humble and thankful 
in the goodly heritage we now enjoy, in the blessings that have come 
down to us in thy grace through the toils and trials of our fathers. 
And from the record of the past help us to learn lessons of faith and 
courage and fidelity in the places where thou hast put us, and in the 
work thou hast given us to do. 

Help us in all faithfulness to make known to our children the truths 
of thy word and the blessings of thy grace, that the generation to come 
may know them, even the children who shall be born, that they may 
arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in 
God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. 

Bless those who shall speak to us this day of thy doings, and bless 
us all with thy pardon and peace and grace. 

All these blessings we ask in the name of Jesus, our merciful and 
faithful High Priest, who has taught us to pray and to say, Our Father who 
art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will 
be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not 
into temptation, but deliver us from evil : For thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 



CENTENNIAL SERMON. 

REV. JOSEPH H. MATHERS, D.D. 
" For ask now of the days that are past." — Deut. iv. 32. 

It is profitable to turn our thoughts to the past in quest of knowledge 
as to the Lord's dealing with his people. There are contrasts to be 
noted that marvellously illustrate his mercy. The Great Lawgiver be- 
sought Israel to consider the gracious dealing of the Covenant God with 
them that their gratitude might be awakened, their obedience established, 
and their future illumined by his grace. The offices of history are help- 
ful in stimulating the languishing graces and in awakening the pro- 
foundest emotions of gratitude. It embodies in the most simple form 
the goodness of the Lord. It awakens the gratitude and stimulates the 
soul to increased effort to secure the blessings of the Covenant. We 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1/ 

are assembled to-day to consider his gracious dealing with the fathers 
and ourselves, to note the progress of his church, and to seek inspira- 
tion from the past for the service that lies before us and our children. 

About the time that negotiations were in progress for the union of 
the New Side Synod of New York and the Old Side Synod of Philadel- 
phia, the region now covered by the Presbytery of Huntingdon was 
being occupied by venturesome pioneers, who had crossed the North or 
Kittatinny and Tuscarora Mountains to possess the fruitful valleys of the 
Juniata. But whilst the Presbyterians were smoking the pipe of peace 
in their council chambers the merciless savage was decimating the scat- 
tered inhabitants and filling the homes of survivors with consternation. 
The early settlers had taken their lives in their hands in adventuring into 
the wilderness ; but they were building wiser than they knew, and the 
fruitful fields and prosperous towns and growing cities attest the grandeur 
of their achievements. Their lowly cabins long ago gave way to modern 
structures ; their humble sanctuaries to stately temples, where the chil- 
dren of the fourth and fifth generations gather for the worship of the 
Covenant God. The weary watching for more prosperous days had an 
ending, and the waste, howling wilderness had become as the garden of 
the Lord. 

It was not strange that a people who had been reared in homes where 
God's word was honored, and where religious fervor and devotion con- 
stituted the moral atmosphere, should remember the Covenant in the 
isolation of the wilderness, and should desire that the institutions under 
which they had prospered in the home land should be established in 
their new abodes. They welcomed the minister of the gospel who, in 
his love for Christ and his people, followed into the depths of the forest 
that he might break the bread of life to the imperilled people. The soli- 
tude of the forest may not have been unfriendly to the cultivation of re- 
ligious sentiment and character; further sustained as such influences 
must have been by the nearness of possible disaster and a violent death. 
But it is more probable that the early training in Christian homes had 
made the ordinances of religion precious in their sight ; and into their 
new homes they brought the hopes and practices of their religious faith. 

When the rude cabin' was reared to shelter their households, the 
church building of like humble construction was erected, and their " sup- 
pUcations" sent to the distant Presbytery for "supplies," that the bread 
of life might be broken to them and to their children. 

It was perhaps not so much an incident in the country's history as a 



1 8 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

cunning policy that placed a wall of defence, against the incursions of 
the treacherous savage, around the settlements in the southeastern por- 
tions of the province, in the persons of the stalwart Scotch-Irish pioneers. 
It was an easy matter to entertain non-resistant and peace-loving senti- 
ments with a strong cordon of protection in these frontier settlements. 
There was no exposure to the merciless tomahawk and scalping-knife of 
the wily savage, and gushing sympathy for the red man was not out of 
harmony with the peaceful conditions, secured at the expense of the 
safety and lives of these venturesome men. 

It is with the Scotch-Irish element that we have mostly to deal, 
though Germany contributed many true and worthy colonists, whose 
frugality and patience have served largely to develop the vast resources 
of this central region. From Scotland and the north of Ireland the 
majority of the early settlers in the region now covered by our Presby- 
tery originally came. Many of them tarried in the Cumberland Valley 
for a time, and helped to guarantee its development and prosperity ; and 
then plunging deeper into the wilderness, they founded homes for them- 
selves and their children amidst the primeval forests. It was not long 
until they began to gather for divine worship in their rude cabins or 
under the protection of the friendly forest tree ; for the minister of the 
gospel was not long in finding out the spiritual destitutions and seeking 
to supply them. Where their people could go the ministers of religion 
could follow, and the ordinances of God's house were supplied. 

In these early times the region was within the jurisdiction of the 
Presbytery of Donegal. The name is suggestive of the country whence 
its members and their congregations came. It was pre-eminently mis- 
sionary ground. The work was such as would have delighted the con- 
secrated heart of a Paul ; for there was peril in ministering to such a 
people, not indeed from furious zealots or cultured heathen enraged by 
seeming assaults upon their faith, or their want of it, but from the chil- 
dren of the wilderness, whose hearts were as hard as the adamant and 
their spirit as fierce as that of the wild beasts of their forests. But the 
Presbytery did not seem to fully appreciate and exhibit the spirit ot 
charity and forbearance which their more eastern brethren were specially 
cultivating. Their controversies would not down at the bidding of 
synod or on the declaration of the new order of peace, but they seemed 
to rage with unabated fury, to the hinderance, no doubt, of Christ's cause, 
and to the neglect of the feeble congregations, which were gathering on 
the frontier, and hungering for the bread of life. It was a turbulent 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 9 

period in ecclesiastical circles as it was also in the outside world. Grave 
questions of seeming importance had brought schism into the church, 
and had fostered strife and animosity. Amidst this confusion the church 
had advanced indeed, but more slowly than it would have done under 
more favorable conditions. The remote parts, where more vital issues 
engrossed the thought, suffered from the inattention of their Presbytery. 
It may, however, be possible that the scarcity of laborers in the vine- 
yard of the Lord and the utter poverty of the congregations themselves 
may have occasioned this seeming neglect of the new and remote settle- 
ments, in the valley of the Juniata. 

For some reason the members of the congregations of Cedar Spring 
and Tuscarora petitioned the United Synod of New York and Philadel- 
phia to place them under the jurisdiction of some other body than that 
of the Presbytery of Donegal. Their request was not granted ; and 
possibly all occasion for such request vanished, as greater harmony pre- 
vailed in the Presbytery, and the growing work absorbed their attention 
and developed their Christian enthusiasm and devotion. 

In 1763, at the meeting of the United Synod of New York and 
Philadelphia, a request from the " Corporation for the relief of poor and 
distressed Presbyterian ministers" was presented, to the effect " that 
some missionaries be sent to preach to the distressed frontier inhabitants 
and to report their distresses, and to let us know where congregations are 
a-forming, and what is necessary to be done to spread the gospel among 
them, and that they inform us what opportunities there may be of preach- 
ing the gospel to the Indian nations in the neighborhood." At the same 
time that they were solicitous about the distresses of the white inhabi- 
tants they were devising measures to relieve the spiritual hopelessness 
and wretchedness of their unpitying foes. 

Nothing seems to have been done in this direction by the Synod 
until three years afterwards, when Revs. Charles Beatty and George Duf- 
field were sent upon a mission to the inhabitants on the Juniata and in 
the regions beyond. They performed this service in the summer of the 
same year (1766), and preached to the congregations in Tuscarora, at 
Cedar Spring, at Aughwick, Bedford, and other points, continuing their 
explorations far into the depths of the western wilds. By Indian trail 
and obscure forest path these devoted men pursued their solitary way, 
hunting up the scattered sheep in the vast wilderness. The next year 
they reported " that they found on the frontiers numbers of people earn- 
estly desirous of forming themselves into congregations, and declaring 



20 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

their willingness to exert their utmost in order to have the gospel among 
them, but in circumstances exceedingly distressing and necessitous from 
the late calamities of the war in these parts." It is evident that no per- 
manent relief came to the congregations, as it was after this visitation 
that members of the churches of Cedar Spring and Tuscarora petitioned 
to be detached from Donegal. This request being almost unanimously- 
declined, the congregations in all this region were dependent for the 
ministry of the word upon it until the Presbytery of Carlisle, its imme- 
diate successor, was formed in 1786. 

In the mean time, however, the struggle for colonial independence 
had taken place. The inhabitants of this region were not insensible to 
the claims of their country, and many a hardy pioneer hastened to the 
support of the patriotic cause. The demoralizing effects of the war were 
doubtless felt in all these parts in the impoverishment of the people, 
and in the desolations which seem to necessarily follow upon the heels 
of conflict. An occasional allusion is made in the records of the Synod 
to " the distracted condition of public affairs," and for three years in 
succession during this period not a single member of the Presbytery of 
Donegal appeared at its meetings. It is evident that the distracted con- 
dition of the country interfered greatly with the work of the church in 
all these parts. 

After peace had been established the congregations began to re- 
cuperate, and progress in church work again manifested itself. The re- 
adjustment of the Presbyteries led to the formation of the Presbytery of 
Carlisle, which is practically the old Presbytery under a new name, for 
the new body was ordered to meet at the place and time of the adjourn- 
ment of the old. Under the care of this organization the missionary 
region on the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers now came, and hence- 
forth the urgent " supplications" for supplies are addressed thereto. 

A number of pastors had before this time been placed over the 
churches, and finally, when the time came for a further division of the 
territory, eleven ministers occupied the field and ministered as best they 
could to the widely scattered and rapidly increasing congregations. It 
was a notable event when the General Assembly, itself but recently or- 
ganized, directed that all the ministers and congregations occupying the 
central part of Pennsylvania, and now comprised within the limits of 
fifteen counties, should be constituted a new organization to be called 
"The Presbytery of Huntingdon." This order was made in May, 1794, 
and on the second Tuesday of April, 1795, it was carried into execu- 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 21 

tion, and from that time until this, covering the space of a hundred years, 
this organization has attempted to perform the work committed to it. 
To gather up some of the facts, and to recount the mercies of the Cove- 
nant God unto our fathers and to ourselves, is the object of our assembling 
here to-day. 

The name of the Presbytery comes to us from the town and county 
within whose limits we meet. It is in accordance with the fitness of 
things that we are assembled here on this auspicious occasion. It is a 
happy coincidence that the name is derived from that illustrious Christian 
woman, the Countess of Huntingdon, the friend of Whitefield. Her 
devout character is the admiration of the Christian world. Her name is 
associated in the doctrinal teachings of the day with the tenets of Calvin 
and Knox. It is becoming that such a name should indicate the doc- 
trinal tendencies of a Presbytery which throughout the years of contro- 
versy and of defection on the part of some from the truth, has adhered 
to the standards of the church, has maintained with unfaltering devotion 
its attachment to the formulated statements which the fathers accepted 
and loved and taught. This does not mean that progress is resisted, 
and old forms blindly adhered to, merely because of their antiquity, but 
it means fidelity to truth, and reverence for the oracles of God, placed 
in their custody. In every direction under the guidance of the divine 
Spirit these teachings have wrought blessing, — have brought spiritual 
enlightenment and material prosperity to the people. The land has 
prospered with the church's growth. The Presbytery of Huntingdon, 
under the good hand of God upon it, has been a notable factor in the 
sum of prosperity, which has crowned the people of the central portion 
of our beloved Commonwealth. 

Under the direction of the Presbytery of Donegal a young licentiate 
of the First Presbytery of Philadelphia in the summer of 1775 made a 
missionary tour through this region, supplying the vacant churches. He 
approached the town of Huntingdon with some misgivings as to the re- 
ception which might be extended to him. After carefully adjusting his 
garments that all traces of his calling might be concealed, he boldly en- 
tered the town. His description is unique : " I met two men on horse- 
back. As they passed I smelled their breaths. It was strong of whiskey. 
By this token, which in thicker-settled places you would scruple, I grew 
certain I was near the town. My conjecture was right. I soon after en- 
tered Huntingdon." Such fragrant indications are not, I am confident, 
the present methods of determining the proximity of the hospitable town. 



22 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The young missionary found no church estabhshed here, and he did not 
tarry over the Sabbath to seek the scattered sheep or offer his ministra- 
tions to the people. It is a painful fact that the author of this sprightly 
diary of travel never became an ordained minister. The death of Philip 
Vicars Fithian was reported to the Synod two years afterwards. The 
consolation which he offered in the promises of the gospel to a dying 
stranger at Shirley was his own solace as he passed down into the valley 
of the shadow of death. 

It is necessary that we glance at the ministers and some of the 
churches which by the act of the Assembly constituted the Presbytery. 
Possibly the oldest man was Rev. John Hoge, who had been appointed 
to preach the sermon. He had been forty years, at least, in connection 
with the Synod, and must have been superannuated at this time. He 
died in 1807. 

The Rev. James Martin, in whose church the first meeting was held, 
was also somewhat advanced in years, and before the next meeting he 
had passed to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which 
are written in heaven. Many of his descendants have been prominent in 
church and business circles in central Pennsylvania ever since. 

Rev. Hugh Magill was pastor of the churches of Cedar Spring and 
Lower Tuscarora. Because of increasing infirmities he relinquished, 
very soon after the formation of the Presbytery, his care of Lower 
Tuscarora, and a few years thereafter retired from the active work of the 
ministry. He died in 1805. 

Rev. James Johnston was born in the Cumberland Valley in 1754. 
He served for a time as a hospital steward in the army of the Revo- 
lution, intending to become a physician. The ministry attracted his 
attention, and he was ordained by the Presbytery of Donegal, and in- 
stalled over the churches of Kishacoquillas Valley in 1784. The origi- 
nal call, signed by the entire congregation, is in the hands of General John 
P. Taylor, of that valley, and bears date of March 15, 1783. This was 
his only charge. The good man died in January, 1820, greatly lamented. 

Rev. John Johnston, for many years the pastor of the church whose 
hospitality we enjoy, was a native of Ireland, and came to this country 
about ten years before the formation of the Presbytery. He was pastor 
of the churches of Hart's Log and Huntingdon for the third of a century. 
He was a man of great force of character, and his attainments were of a 
high order. He died soon after resigning his pastoral charge at the age 
of seventy-three. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 23 

Rev. Matthew Stephens came to this country about the same time 
that Mr. Johnston did. He was installed over the church of Shaver's 
Creek. According to the tradition concerning- him he was a man of 
superior ability, but unhappily addicted to habits that greatly impaired 
his usefulness and clouded his life. 

Rev. David Bard was a native of Virginia. The first charge which 
he held was in the Great Cove, where the writer spent pleasant years as 
pastor of the same church. At different times thereafter he was pastor 
of the churches of Bedford, Frankstown (now Hollidaysburg), and Sink- 
ing Valley. For many years he represented his district in Congress. 
His attendance upon the sessions of Presbytery w^s irregular and infre- 
quent. He was evidently a man of superior force of character. In 181 5 
he passed to his rest whilst on his return home from service in the halls 
of Congress. 

Rev. Hugh Morrison was pastor of the churches of Buffalo, Sunbury, 
and Northumberland at the time the Presbytery was organized. But 
little is known of his ability as a preacher, or his character as a man ; 
but the fact that he continued for years in this relation indicates that he 
must have been possessed of fair natural gifts, and at least respectable 
attainments. His pastoral work ended in 1 80 1, and his death occurred 
about three years afterwards. 

The Rev. David Wiley was one of the original members, but did not 
long remain in this connection. He was pastor of churches in Centre 
County now known by other names. Being released from his pastoral 
charge, he early removed from the bounds of the Presbytery, and passed 
his later years in teaching near the capital of the country. 

Another of the fathers was the Rev. Isaac Grier. He was a conspic- 
uous character in the early times, possessing an excellent education, and 
being eminently successful as a teacher of others. One of his sons 
became a distinguished member of the Supreme Court of the United 
States. He died in 18 14. 

Rev. John Bryson was another member of the Presbytery, and one of 
the five who subsequently constituted the new Presbytery of Northum- 
berland. He was a graduate of Dickinson College and a student of 
theology probably under Dr. Cooper. Six churches now occupy the 
field in which his faithful work was done. He died in 1855, having 
attained to the great age of ninety-eight years. 

As will be seen, the original members of this Presbytery were men 
of stable character and considerable learning, well fitted by natural and 



24 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

acquired abilities to lay the foundations. It would occupy too much of 
your time to speak in detail of the congregations to which these men 
ministered, and which were scattered over a vast region. 

At the very first session of the Presbytery a young man made appli- 
cation to be received as a candidate. It shows that the pressing needs 
of this region for ministers to preach the glorious gospel of Christ were 
engaging the attention of the fathers. But it further establishes the fact 
that their anxiety for an increase in the ranks of the workers did not 
blind them to the importance of a proper fitness on the part of those 
who sought the sacred office. After protracted examinations and fre- 
quent trial pieces, the young man withdrew from the care of the Presby- 
tery, possibly discouraged by the difficulties interposed at the entrance 
to the work. His name does not reappear, and he doubtless sought 
some other calling, or turned to some other denomination, whose doors 
were not so carefully guarded against the intrusion of incompetent 
teachers. 

Soon thereafter another applicant presented himself, and it is a note- 
worthy fact that the first successful candidate for licensure received his 
authority to preach at a meeting of the Presbytery held at this place. 
The church with which it met at that time had been in existence for 
about seven years, and was, I have reason to believe, without a house of 
worship. Services were held in the court-house, and doubtless the 
Presbytery was assembled there when it performed its first official act in 
licensing a novice to preach the gospel. The temple of justice sheltered 
the servants of Christ in the discharge of their official duties. It was in 
accordance with a true spirit of reciprocity that the courts in Juniata 
County in its earliest history enjoyed the hospitality of the congregation 
of Mifflintown, and dispensed justice in the old stone church where the 
writer worshipped in his childhood, and where his maternal grandfather 
preached the word for many years. 

It is a sad commentary on the weaknesses and infirmities of our human 
nature that this brother subsequently ordained and installed in a pastoral 
charge was deposed from the ministry. The drinking habits of the day 
doubtless occasioned his downfall. His latter years, it is said, were 
brightened by a deliverance from his bondage, and we may hope that his 
life went out in peace. 

As late as 1809 the Presbytery petitioned the General Assembly 
because of " the deplorable situation of a great body of people within 
their bounds," and because of " the fact that they had not a single 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 25 

licentiate under their care," to furnish a missionary or missionaries to 
occupy the inviting fields within their bounds. It was not a lack of 
interest, but an utter inability, that prevented them suitably prosecuting 
the hopeful work which opened up before them throughout all their 
borders. " Supplications" for supplies were sent to them from all parts, 
and in some cases the applicants were encouraged to address their 
requests to the Presbytery of Carlisle, because of their utter inability to 
meet these demands. It is an interesting fact that the pastors of self- 
sustaining churches were appointed to preach as often as possible to the 
growing congregations and in the increasing settlements that were form- 
ing in the rich valleys and amidst the mountain districts in the remote 
parts of the Presbytery. The list of supplies was oftentimes appalling, 
and must have taxed to the uttermost the ingenuity of the committee 
appointed to bring in a schedule. 

But in the sketch which I am expected to prepare it is perhaps the 
better plan that we consider the development of the Presbytery in 
periods of considerable extent. In this way we may note the progress 
and may sum up the aggregates of a century's work, — a century the 
grandest in the history of the world. It may not contain such splendid 
manifestations of God's visible presence as the times which Israel was 
directed to contrast with " the days that are past," but in the progress of 
truth, in the advancement of the race in civilization, in the development 
in every department of human activity, the like has not been seen. The 
very elements are made tributary to the comfort and convenience of man. 
The lightning leaps to do his bidding. The whole earth teems with new 
agencies that multiply indefinitely the products of human skill and 
genius. It is a great privilege to live in such an age as this, — to be eye- 
witnesses of the marvellous progress that amazes and delights the human 
mind. 

" We are living, we are dwelling 
In a grand and awful time, 
In an age on ages telling 
To be living is sublime." 

The history of this Presbytery is coexistent with this amazing de- 
velopment, and as far as its field of operations extends, it has contributed 
its share to this development. It has set influences in operation which 
have contributed to the glorious aggregate which excites our wonder- 
ment. The rude ways which the fathers opened for communication and 
for traffic changed into macadamized turnpikes or easier water-ways, and 



26 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

lastly into the stately railway and its branches over which the products 
of a continent are carried. Where a hundred years ago the fathers 
painfully plodded their weary way, their children's children ride in luxu- 
rious ease with the swiftness of the wind. What changes has the revo- 
lution of the years wrought ! What marvellous advance have the coun- 
try and the world made in these hundred years ! 

For years after the formation of the Presbytery but little increase 
seemed to be experienced. Very few ministers cam,e within the bounds, 
and candidates rarely presented themselves. The tide of emigration to 
more western parts may partly account for this, and the prevalence of 
French ideas, tinctured by the sceptical tendencies of that people, may 
have largely produced this paralysis of Christian work. And yet in 
some parts of the land the reaction had already come ; the truth in its 
saving power was laid upon the consciences and hearts of the people. 
The life of the church was deeply stirred, and the joy of salvation suc- 
ceeded to the dismal speculations of infidelity. 

In i8i I the Presbytery of Northumberland was formed by the Synod 
of Philadelphia, and the number of ministers was reduced from fourteen 
to nine, and twelve of the churches were apportioned to the new organi- 
zation, leaving twenty-five to the care of less than half a score of min- 
isters. For the first time the number of communicants was reported to 
the General Assembly in 1 807, and the number reported as in connec- 
tion with the Presbytery was five hundred and fifty-eight. At the time 
of the formation of the new organization it had increased to thirteen 
hundred and sixty-seven. The next year thereafter it diminished to 
nine hundred and twenty-eight, and from that time to the present the 
increase will pertain to the Presbytery as now constituted. A few 
changes have been made in its boundaries, but not materially affecting 
its extent. A part of what is now Perry County was restored to the 
Presbytery of Carlisle, and many years afterwards the churches of Bed- 
ford County were placed under its care. 

At the end of the first half-century of the Presbytery's existence the 
number of ministers had increased to twenty, whilst one licentiate was 
in its connection and seven candidates were under its care. Thirty-six 
churches appeared upon its roll, and five thousand one hundred and 
twenty-three communicants were reported to the Assembly. The con- 
tributions to home and foreign missions amounted to thirteen hundred 
and thirty-seven dollars, and to education five hundred and seventy-two 
dollars, whilst one other object was presented to the benevolence of the 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 27 

churches. This was a day of small things as far as benevolence is con- 
cerned, and yet it indicates decided advance in the beautiful grace of 
giving, and was the earnest of the more extended benefactions which 
have rendered the period in which we live conspicuous for its benefi- 
cence. But the country has greatly increased in wealth, and the ability 
to give has proportionately enlarged ; but withal, the one direction in 
which Christian character has broadened is in the munificence of Chris- 
tian liberality. 

Half a century had passed since the Presbytery had been formed, 
and the aggregate seems to have been in keeping with the opportunities, 
which had been offered to the fathers. But the point at which the more 
marvellous advancement of the century begins had not as yet been fully 
reached. The border line of modern progress was only in fact being 
approached in the later years, and that, too, under conditions which 
must have greatly hindered ecclesiastical progress. The church was 
rent by the discordant cries of factions. Indeed, division was actually 
accomplished, and for more than a third of a century thereafter the great 
church of the fathers formed two bands. It was a humiliating spectacle 
which presented itself to the world in the distracted and divided condi- 
tion of the church. But the fathers were earnest men, jealous of their 
supposed personal rights on the one hand, and of doctrinal integrity and 
purity on the other. It was doubtless a wise determination which sepa- 
rated the one from the other. 

But the division does not form an era in the history of our Presbytery. 
Not a single name disappeared from its roll, nor did a single church cast 
in its lot with the minority. In fact, the Presbytery was only incidentally 
affected by the controversies which raged without its limits. Two feeble 
churches in connection with the New School body were subsequently 
formed within its territory. But their existence contributed in no re- 
spect to any change in the polity, or any diminution of the authority or 
influence of this body. The division of the church as far as the effect 
directly upon the Presbytery of Huntingdon is concerned was unim- 
portant, and the same may be affirmed in regard to the union accom- 
plished a third of a century afterwards. It is referred to only inci- 
dentally, because of the coincidence of its occurrence near the period 
selected for comparison. 

It would possibly be interesting to follow in detail the growth of the 
Presbytery in the direction of its ministers and congregations, and in its 
influence upon the material development of its territory ; but this would 



28 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

be impracticable in the time allotted for this exercise. At the end of 
half a century we find that notable progress has been made. The feeble 
bands scattered throughout this region have grown into strong and in- 
fluential churches. Where a few hundred communicants represented 
the cause of the Master, as many thousands rally under the blue banner 
of our Presbyterianism. Churches that had long been dependent upon 
occasional supplies enjoyed the stated ministry of the word, and the 
rude houses of worship were being rapidly succeeded by buildings of 
architectural beauty and modern convenience. In 1 843 the largest ac- 
cession of members up to that time had occurred, and relatively the 
largest in a single year that the Presbytery has ever witnessed. It was 
a time of the right hand of the Most High. He poured out his Spirit 
upon the people, and the result was indicated by an ingathering amount- 
ing to more than twenty-five per cent, of its entire membership. This 
was a time of general refreshing throughout the entire church. More 
than four hundred congregations participated in the blessing, and a wtssi 
impulse was given to Christian work. This is the more interesting as 
following so soon upon the schism which rent the church in twain. 

By the time the semi-centennial anniversary was reached the early 
fathers had all passed to the church above, and the young men upon 
whom they had laid their hands in ordination had grown feeble from the 
weight of years. " Your fathers ! where are they ? And the prophets ! 
do they live forever ?" But as the fathers disappear from the scene of 
their labors others are raised up to take their places. Whilst the Lord's 
workmen die, his work goes grandly on. 

The last half-century of the Presbytery's existence has witnessed the 
most extraordinary progress in every department of human activity. 
The church has, of course, been affected by this spirit of development, 
and has contributed thereto. It has not been by the teaching of new 
doctrines or by the presentation of novel phases of old truths. The 
simple doctrine of the Cross is under the power and demonstration of 
the Spirit, the mighty agency for the uplifting of the race. Its power 
extends to every faculty of the soul, and to every relationship in life. 
Its quickening force imparts newness of life, awakens hope, and stimu- 
lates to the utmost every spiritual and moral agency in the world. The 
church participates in the amazing progress of our land in every direc- 
tion, and is an important factor in the sum of that progress. Christian 
work has been systematized. Every possible moral and spiritual force 
is being happily utilized. A most distinctive and hopeful aspect of that 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 29 

work is the prominence which is given to the energy and enthusiasm of 
the young. Whilst we may deplore the lack of thorough home train- 
ing, the failure to dignify and exalt the teaching office of the head of 
the family, we must recognize the advancement made by the external 
organization in utilizing the reserved force of the church, latent in the 
freshness and the enthusiasm and the faith of the young. The con- 
servatism of the fathers is superseded by a sanctified liberalism that 
does not necessarily sacrifice doctrinal integrity or scriptural authority, 
and yet puts in operation moral forces which greatly broaden and in- 
tensify the church's work. The young Master taught the venerable 
doctors of the law new things, and furnished the grandest object-lesson 
in the power and beauty of divine truth on youthful lips. When he be- 
gan to consolidate and direct the forces to be put in operation for the 
introduction of the new economy, he rallied about him a band of men 
who had not attained to middle life, and constituted them the messen- 
gers of his grace to a dying world. The children, too, were recognized 
as special objects of his solicitude and care, and their cry in the temple 
court, " Hosanna to the Son of David !" was not without its purpose. 
But it is no reflection on the wisdom of the fathers. They carefully 
furnished the young, indoctrinated them from their childhood, equipped 
them by thorough training in the truths of our holy religion for Chris- 
tian work, and then strangely failed to properly utilize the very forces 
which their own system had created. With such an equipment as the 
fathers furnished, the youth of to-day would conquer the world for 
Christ in the lifetime of a generation. 

The first half-century of the Presbytery's existence closed with the 
effects of the gracious revival visible in the increased number of com- 
municants, in the quickened spiritual life, and in the strengthened con- 
gregations. Soon thereafter the war with Mexico occurred. Its influ- 
ence, we would infer, would be inconsiderable on a reHgious organization 
remote from the scene of conflict. It would possibly involve particular 
households in grief, as their loved ones perished in the strife. The ven- 
erable Dr. James S. Woods, whose kindness to a young licentiate in the 
long ago has rendered his memory to him fragrant and precious through 
all these years, carried a beloved and gifted son — slain in battle — to his 
burial amidst the tearful sympathy of thousands, and other homes were 
desolated by the pitiless exactions of war. But the new territory which 
was acquired as the result of that war, the finding of gold in California, 
the construction of railways in the remoter parts of the country, all con- 



30 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

tributed to greatly change the condition of particular churches. The 
prevailing spirit of restlessness penetrated our quiet valleys, and led to 
the emigration of our people to the distant West. A new impetus was 
given to this depleting process by the fact that the vast stretches of tree- 
less plains in the western borders were found to be of inexhaustible fer- 
tility. They tempted our people from the homes which their fathers 
with toil and sacrifice had founded, and others with different religious 
traditions and sympathy for other forms jDossessed the ancestral acres. 
The deserted sanctuaries by the way-side, with the neglected graves of 
the fathers and the mothers in the tangled wilderness of the forsaken 
church-yard, make the heart ache, and unseal the very depths of the 
fountain of our tears. 

It is one of the problems which confront the present generation to 
determine what shall be done for these decaying churches. Shall they 
die, uncared for by those in whose hands under God their destiny is 
held ? Shall we, without sacrifice even to prevent, suffer the doors of 
their sanctuaries to be closed, the ordinances of God's house to be with- 
held, the venerable churches which the fathers founded and loved to be- 
come extinct ? God forbid ! Shall the very fountains from which the 
living streams have gushed through all these years be forever sealed ? 
Shall the very sources of the strength of the town and city and western 
churches be paralyzed by decay when there is a possibility that the dis- 
aster may be averted through the tender sympathy, the generous liber- 
ality, and the willing sacrifice, if need be, of those who have grown 
strong at their expense ? The territory occupied by this Presbytery has 
always been missionary ground. The early churches nurtured the feeble 
congregations that sprang up around them, and now as their own vitality 
is enfeebled by the richness of their gifts, the beneficiaries that have 
grown strong thereby should return with loving heart and generous 
hand these benefactions of the past. We may all see why presbyterial 
sustentation of feeble churches should lie upon every tender conscience 
and upon every loving and grateful heart. 

The statistics of the whole church at the end of fifty years show that 
there were one hundred and fifteen Presbyteries, and that only eighteen 
had more ministers in connection with them than this Presbytery, and 
three others the same number ; six had more churches, and one other 
the same number, whilst Huntingdon Presbytery reported more com- 
municants than any other. In this respect it was the leading Presby- 
tery in our connection. From an obscure condition among a feeble 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 3 1 

group it had taken a conspicuous place. This is the enviable position 
into which the fathers under the blessing of the Great Head of the 
church had brought this organization. What great things hath God 
wrought ! 

But we can only glance at the statistics of another fifty years. It 
would be impossible to take them in detail, although useful lessons may 
be embodied in the formidable array of figures. They start into life and 
broaden into columns of living men and women working for Christ and 
humanity. They sum up in seeming heartless aggregates the tears and 
prayers and toils of godly thousands. They become animated by a new 
life which pulsates and glows and warms by the stimulating contact of 
the divine grace in hundreds of human hearts. Could they tell the 
story of their formation it would be fragrant with the love of pastor and 
of people working together for the glory of God and the salvation of 
men. The results of fifty years of toil and sacrifice by hundreds of 
devoted men and women cannot be easily told. The consequences are 
so far-reaching, the aggregates are so stupendous, that justice cannot 
properly be done the theme. The cold statistical statement fails to 
present motives and prayers and sacrifices and toils and tears, that much 
is necessarily left to the imagination roused into intense activity by sym- 
pathy with so glorious a cause. For fifty years have earnest workers 
been building on the stable foundations which the fathers laid ; and who 
can tell the towers of this stately Zion, within whose sheltenng walls so 
many thousands dwell ? 

Throughout the limits of the Presbytery the churches which were 
once feeble have grown strong. On the other hand, some have waxed 
weaker and weaker until the point of extinction has been almost reached. 
A number which had no existence then have been founded and fostered, 
and are now the strongest churches numerically within our bounds. As 
before stated, the total number of communicants reported to the General 
Assembly in 1807 was five hundred and fifty-eight, and now at least 
three churches organized within these fifty years have each quite that 
number or more in their fellowship, — viz., the First and Second of Altoona 
and the church of Tyrone; whilst Clearfield Church, at that time a 
feeble flock, has more communicants than the entire Presbytery reported 
in 1807. Some years ago the policy that prevailed led to the division 
of pastoral charges and the increase of independent congregations ; but 
the times have changed. Some of the congregations have become 
weaker, and now a return to the consolidating processes of the earlier 



32 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

years seems necessary. This does not mean of necessity a general decay, 
but simply a return to more conservative and safe practices. 

The statistics for the last year of the century have not been furnished 
us as yet, and we can only use for our comparison the facts which the 
last year's report furnishes us. The total number of communicants is 
ten thousand nine hundred and one, of churches seventy-five, and of 
ministers sixty-two ; contributions to Home Missions, including presby- 
terial sustentation, eight thousand three hundred dollars, to Foreign Mis- 
sions nine thousand four hundred and seventy-five dollars, and to all 
other boards five thousand four hundred dollars, making an aggregate 
for benevolent objects alone of more than twenty-three thousand dollars, 
in contrast with the two thousand dollars of fifty years ago. But the 
contrast is not unfavorable to the devotion and benevolence of the 
fathers, for the country has increased in wealth in perhaps as great a 
ratio. There has, however, been an advance in Christian giving as 
there has been in intelligent methods of work in all departments of 
Christian activity within these years. 

More than one thousand additions on profession of faith were made 
during the past year, and the grand aggregate represents many thousands 
of earnest and hopeful workers in the vineyard of the Lord. I am deeply 
conscious of the inadequacy of figures to set forth in proper fulness the 
progress of these years. When the century began the total number of 
ministers in connection with the General Assembly was one hundred 
and seventy-seven, and now there is one-third of that number in con- 
nection with our own Presbytery. In 1807 there were not quite eigh- 
teen thousand communicants in connection with the entire church, and 
now in our own Presbytery alone there are considerably more than half 
that number in the fellowship of its churches. But it is not in the 
number of its members or in the amount of their contributions to objects 
of benevolence that the great work of these years is to be discerned. 
We never can tell the sum of Christian work. It increases and extends 
through all the years. It reaches into the limitless stretches of eternity. 
The great day will scarcely disclose the glorious results of this work, 
protracted through the pregnant decades of the century agone. 

The last half of the century which passes in review to-day is espe- 
cially notable in the great progress in the arts, the advancement in the 
processes of education, in the civil changes which have taken place, and 
in the broadening of Christian charity which the external church 
displays. We approach the end of the nineteenth century with the 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 33 

profoundest anxiety for the final result, which the signs of the times 
seem to foreshadow. The church in all its organizations has, perhaps, a 
higher conception of its office than even before. The strifes among 
denominations, which consumed their energies and wasted their resources 
to a large extent, have ceased. The unfriendly contests for pre-eminence 
have changed to greater effort to possess all lands for Christ. The 
external church seems to be approaching that point where it may be 
sung in the enthusiastic refrain of Christendom, " Behold, how good 
and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity !" 

Whilst one schism occurred through the exigencies of civil war, and 
a great church has chosen to pursue its own way, departing from associa- 
tions which the fathers formed, another schism has been healed. The 
aggregate of benefit is doubtless greater than the loss incurred, but the 
friends of our Presbyterian Zion hope for the return of all to the support 
of the glorious standard of our common Presbyterianism. The civil war 
with all its sorrows and its triumphs belongs to this latter period. Its 
desolations reached every portion of our territory, — not in the presence 
of an armed foe, but in the desolations which it wrought. Every hamlet, 
and well-nigh every home, experienced its blighting, desolating force. 
But it is foreign to our purpose to dwell upon issues that awaken our 
interest as citizens rather than as Presbyterians. We rejoice in the 
results of that tremendous convulsion, in the broadening and deepening 
of our national Hfe, in the consolidating and strengthening of our institu- 
tions, in the release of the bondmen, in the many things by which the 
country has been benefited. 

But it is proper to glance at the work of the Presbytery for a little 
time further before the end is reached. Its influence in the direction of 
hberal education is noteworthy. The early fathers laid the foundations 
of liberal culture in all this region. They eked out a slender salary by 
teaching the youth who were ambitious to obtain a classical education, 
and many who subsequently attained to eminence in church and state 
owed their equipment to these faithful men. The facilities now furnished 
at the public expense, or through the benevolence of philanthropic men 
and women, were then unknown. The stately institutions that now 
gather under their shelter thousands of our youth were then in their 
infancy, or perhaps not even projected. The only facilities for a higher 
education available to the ambitious youth of this central region were to 
be found in the humble schools which the Presbyterian pastors had 
established. Many, who attained to positions of usefulness and honor, 

3 



34 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

were fitted to adorn them through the offices of these unpretentious 
schools. Rev. John Coulter gathered about him the youth of Tuscarora 
and adjacent valleys, and among his pupils was the late Dr. David Elliot, 
of Western Theological Seminary, the eminent and devout teacher of a 
sound theology. The Rev. John Hutchison attracted many by his well- 
established reputation for scholarship and fitness to teach the higher 
branches of learning. The old stone church at Mifflintown, where he 
preached with acceptance the gospel of Christ for many years, was the 
scene, also, of his pedagogic labors. Rev. Dr. James S. Woods ren- 
dered the same grateful service to a wide circle of admiring pupils, 
and among them was the gentle and gifted Matthew B. Hope, who 
became an eminent instructor in the College of New Jersey. At an 
earlier day the Rev. John Johnston gathered about him in this town 
a band of earnest youth in quest of knowledge, and for many years 
the fame of his classical school was far-reaching. The humble struc- 
ture in which he so patiently taught remains as an ancient landmark 
until this day. 

Many years ago this region was noted for its academical institutions. 
The youth were attracted to them from distant parts, and many that are 
eminent in all the walks of life owe their fitness for these positions to 
their training here. The venerable Rev. McKnight Williamson, who so 
recently passed from our midst because his Lord had called him to his 
rest and his reward, was instrumental in founding an institution in 
Tuscarora Valley that attained a high pre-eminence as a classical school. 
Rev. James Y. McGinnis was equally successful in establishing a famous 
school at Shade Gap. Their halls were crowded by young men from 
near and afar. Whilst their career has, unhappily, ended, their influence 
is an ever-widening circle. It may not be profitable to seek out the 
causes of the decay of these once prosperous schools and others like 
them. A prodigal expenditureof the people's money in State institutions 
of inferior grade is largely responsible for the disaster of their decay. 

In former years a pastor of the Presbytery, a relative of the writer, 
surrendered his pastoral work that he might help to teach in a wider 
circle the gracious principles of our holy religion through the agency 
of the religious press, and many years thereafter his paper was absorbed 
by the Presbyterian Banner, which was founded through the enterprise 
and zeal of a former member of this Presbytery, — the gifted and per- 
sistent Dr. David McKinney. His long struggle for the success of his 
scheme was bravely maintained and loyally upheld by his own brethren. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 35 

But failing to enlist the General Assembly in the enterprise, he under- 
took it alone, and the result is before the world in the career of a periodi- 
cal which has brought blessing to innumerable homes. It seems a fitting 
thing that a son of this eminent man should be connected with the edito- 
rial staff of the venerable Presbyterian, the invaluable friend and mentor 
of our childhood and youth, and which has been an oracle for much 
more than half a century to its many readers in Central Pennsylvania. 

The cause of education always excited a lively interest, especially in 
the minds of the fathers ; and from the outset appeals were made to the 
congregations for contributions towards the education of young men for 
the gospel ministry who could not without this aid obtain a liberal 
education. It would be an honorable record for a hundred years if it 
could be examined in detail. It seemed to be at considerable sacrifice 
that the fathers gathered the meagre sums to help to supply the waste 
places with the ordinances of religion. 

It would be an injustice to the memory of the dead if we did not 
place on record our appreciation of their love for the work of the Master 
in its most common forms. The great commission was to them the 
marching orders of the great Captain of our salvation. The necessity 
of preaching the gospel to every creature did not arise out of the exi- 
gency of the times, but from the positive command of the great Head 
of the church himself It was not a question of expediency at all, but 
of absolute duty, and so the great work of missions at home and abroad 
has always pressed upon the consciences of our pastors and people. 
The Presbytery from the very beginning has profoundly sympathized 
with this glorious work. Her sons and her daughters have gone to 
distant lands to proclaim the glad tidings to the perishing. The Pres- 
bytery has always been ready with gifts and personal co-operation to 
advance this blessed object. Its members gladly imposed their hands 
in ordination on the heads of bright and consecrated men that they 
might go out with the torch of truth in hand into the darkest places of 
the earth. With their prayers and their gifts they have followed them 
to their fields of labor among the perishing heathen. It is a noteworthy 
fact that at least three of her sons are telling the story of the Cross to 
the benighted people of distant lands to-day. 

In home mission work it has been quite as distinctly engaged. 
Many have gone out from its borders to carry the gospel to the frontier 
settlements of our own land. In forest and on prairie the voices of her 
sons have been lifted up in the interest of truth and righteousness. 



36 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

They have braved the winter storms, have submitted to the rough ex- 
periences of frontier Hfe, that they might lay the foundations, and estab- 
hsh ordinances, which would bless and save multitudes who were seek- 
ing to establish homes in the distant West-land. 

Early in the last decade of our ecclesiastical history the Presbytery 
undertook the care of its feeble churches, and the prosecution of mission 
work within its own bounds. The work has been a helpful one, as it 
enlisted the sympathies of our people in the welfare of our feeble con- 
gregations, and brought us in pleasant contact with new fields of Chris- 
tian enterprise. The magnitude of the undertaking alone has prevented 
us showing that sympathy for the sustentation enterprise of the Synod 
of Pennsylvania, which in its broader field and amidst greater hin- 
derances it justly deserves. With a perfect co-operation on the part of 
all our congregations we would be able to accomplish greater things, 
and to give of the surplus of our gifts to other needy ones. Within 
less than a decade about twelve thousand five hundred dollars have 
been raised and disbursed without any expense of administration what- 
ever. Many feeble churches have been aided in maintaining the ordi- 
nances. Other churches have been gathered and helped to prosecute 
the work for the Master under favorable conditions, and many a faithful 
toiler has been cheered and helped by its prompt and timely aid. 

The cause of Temperance has received its mightiest impulses in all 
this region from the faithful testimony of our ministers and people. If 
some of the early fathers brought from their foreign homes unfortunate 
drinking habits, which hindered their work and brought reproach upon 
our holy religion, others became the pioneers in temperance reform. 
The earliest recollections of the writer are connected with the Washing- 
tonian movement, and conspicuous among the local leaders in that reform 
was his own pastor. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he sought to 
lead his congregation and all others into the paths of sobriety. It re- 
quired a true moral heroism in the earliest stages of this work to con- 
demn the drinking habits of the time and to promote the unpopular 
reform. But the times have greatly changed, and now the trend of 
Christian thought is in direct antagonism towards such unseemly indul- 
gence. But this intelligent sentiment was created by a generation long 
since passed away. The credit of this enlightened stand on the moral 
questions of the day belongs to those whose early struggles were directed 
to the purging of all moral forces from the contaminating associations 
of strong drink. They encountered the prejudices of the great mass of 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 37 

the people. They were called upon to lift up a standard against social 
customs that seemed thoroughly intrenched, to antagonize the popular 
sentiment, and to assail even the cherished theories of those on whom 
they depended for their bread. But their fidelity is rewarded in the 
hopeful aspect of this much-needed reform. 

One of the marked agencies for good which has been developed 
within these latter years is the organization for work of the earnest women 
of our churches. In former times it did not enter into the thoughts 
of the fathers to utilize this mighty power. Its surprising development 
has indicated a new departure in Christian work which must lead to re- 
sults that will bless the world in all ages to come. To the hints which 
the epistles of the great Apostle to the Gentiles kept constantly before 
the eye of Christendom the church seemed to be strangely oblivious. 
But now the Christian world is delighted and amazed at woman's work, 
especially her work for woman. The church is blessed by her activity. 
Every impulse of devotion is awakened by the touch of her gentle 
hand. Every work receives a new life from the inbreathing of her loving 
spirit. With matchless tact she carries forward enterprises that would 
have sadly languished without her loving care and help. Her sympa- 
thetic eye discerns the wants of those beyond the limits of our Presby- 
tery, and directs efforts for their relief The highest place of honor must 
be assigned the earnest and godly women who quietly pursue the way 
in which the Master leads them, who minister to him as truly and as 
tenderly as the Marys and Salomes of old cared for the blessed One, 
whilst a patient and weary toiler under the burning heats of a Syrian 
sun. 

To trace the influence of this Presbytery through this hundred years 
on the civil affairs of this Commonwealth would be a grateful task. But 
we can only glance at a phase of our subject so far-reaching as this. It 
seems to me that Presbyterians can be nothing else than good and patri- 
otic citizens. Every interest is bound up in the welfare of our beloved 
country. Every instinct of personal concern and of duty would render 
them of necessity patriotic, and devoted to the maintenance of authority 
and order. The government itself is the crystallizing of Presbyterian 
principles in the forms of authority and law. It is the ideal of every one 
who is devoted to the standards and polity of our church. The heart 
instinctively embalms in its reverence and regard institutions that reflect 
in such a marked degree the very principles which the fathers taught, 
and for which they suffered and so many died. Our representative form 



38 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

of government is the outcome of the very teachings which have blessed 
the world from the days of Calvin and of Knox. The Presbyterian 
pastor was the object of British hate in the troublous Colonial and Revo- 
lutionary times. They and their people stood up nobly for the cause of 
liberty and free government, and to this day their descendants are ready 
with stout heart and strong arm to defend these priceless institutions. 

From the congregations of this Presbytery have many gone forth to 
serve their country in its time of peril, and their generation in all the 
various walks of life. By a thorough training in the doctrines of the 
word and principles of our holy religion, they have been furnished 
for the most responsible positions. They have adorned every station, 
and have brought honor to themselves and to the people whose interests 
they were appointed to conserve. Of the twenty-three governors of this 
Commonwealth, five were associated with congregations within the 
original limits of this Presbytery. Three of them, Governors William 
Bigler, James Pollock, and James A. Beaver have been office-bearers 
therein, whilst the others, Governors David R. Porter and Andrew G. 
Curtin, whose recent death filled the land with sorrow, were in full 
sympathy with the doctrine and polity of the church of their fathers. 
But it would be invidious to mention some names only of those who 
have occupied the high places ; who have sat upon the bench in the lower 
and the higher courts of this Commonwealth ; who have been dignified 
and influential members of the Senate and House of Representatives in 
Congress, or have attained to eminence in the learned professions, or 
have reached the highest success in mechanical, agricultural, or other 
business pursuits. There is a broadening and refining and stimulating 
influence in the very principles of our Presbyterianism that dignifies and 
ennobles character ; that beautifies and strengthens life ; that makes men 
earnest and the benefactors of their kind. 

We may interrogate the days that are past, and the answer will be 
voiced by hundreds and thousands of beneficiaries, "The land in which 
we dwell, the world itself, is better that God ordained that the Pres- 
bytery of Huntingdon should be a beneficent agency therein." Great 
numbers have passed in at the open gate of the city of habitation above, 
led thither by its faithful teachings, and the great throng on the sea of 
glass awaits in rapturous delight the full consummation of its finished 
work. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 39 

PRAYER. 

REV. ANDREW H. PARKER. 

O God, the fountain of all excellence and the Father of mercies 
infinitely exalted above us and absolutely independent of us, possessed 
of every infinite and possible perfection, thou art worthy of the praise, 
adoration, and love of all thine intelligent creatures. We would enter 
thy gates this day with thanksgiving and come into thy courts with 
praise. We would thank thee for the sacred and inspiring memories of 
the past, for the gracious and elevating associations of the present, and 
for the suggestions and thoughts and hopes respecting the future which 
are necessarily brought home to our hearts in connection with this 
anniversary of the Presbytery. We would remember the way by which 
thou hast led these churches of thy grace through these many years. 
We would rehearse thy wondrous works of old, and tell of thy doings. 
We would weave thy mercies into our songs of praise, and call upon our 
souls and all that is within us to bless and magnify thy holy name for 
thy love and care, thy patience and thy faithfulness. We would say, 
" Not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy name, be all the glory and the 
praise." 

We thank thee for the goodly heritage of thy church in this portion 
of thy vineyard. We thank thee for its beginning, its progress, and its 
bountiful present. We praise thee for the faith of our fathers, as they 
set foot updn this portion of our land, and claimed it for the Master. 
We thank thee for the churches which they planted in faith and prayer, 
through struggle and self-denial, and which thou didst so signally bless 
and prosper. We thank thee for the streams of gracious influence which 
issued from them, enlightening, converting, and sanctifying. We thank 
thee for the truth thy servants guarded for us, and have handed down to 
us in its integrity and purity. We thank thee that so many left behind 
them the savor of a holy life, and the testimony of a triumphant death. 
We thank thee that thou hast made the past century one of distinguish- 
ing blessing, of providential care and guidance, and of the gracious 
operations of thy Holy Spirit; and that to-day we can rejoice in the 
number, the unity, the strength, and the efficiency of the churches which 
enrich and gladden this portion of our land. 

And now that thou hast permitted us to enter upon another century, 
we pray thee that thy presence may go with us. Give us an intelligent 



40 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

appreciation of the significance of our past history, and of the promise 
of the future which it embodies. Impress us with a deep sense of our 
superior advantages and larger responsibilities ; may we understand their 
meaning, feel their pressure, and may we respond with all our hearts to 
their demands. May we make progress in all holy activities, in all 
Christian work, in our love for the souls of men, and in the intelligence 
and ardor of our zeal for the glory of God and for the cause of Jesus 
Christ. May thy church be purified and strengthened and enlarged; 
may it become more luminous, more energetic, and more fruitful ; may 
the name of Christ, which is above every name, be exalted in it and the 
gospel be preached in its purity and power. 

Bless the members of the churches represented here. Adorn them 
with the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. May they be united in 
earnest and loving co-operation in the great work which thou hast given 
them to do. May they be lifted up to a higher plane of Christian thought, 
feeling, and activity, and develop a nobler Christianity than has ever yet 
been seen in our midst. 

Bless all the ministers and elders of this Presbytery. Give us power 
from on high. Qualify us for every duty. Fill our hearts with love to 
Christ, and may it be the supreme joy of our lives to uphold the rights 
of his crown and to explain the meaning of his cross. 

Bless all schools and missions and societies and agencies under our 
care. May the abiding presence of thy Spirit testify to thy favor and 
approbation ; and through their instrumentality may there be gathered 
into the fellowship of the church daily of such as shall be saved. 

May the Spirit of the Lord revive thy work in every portion of the 
church universal. Pardon all our sins, and save us for Christ's sake. 
Amen. 



"FRAGMENTS THAT REMAIN." 

REV. JOSEPH C. KELLY. 

" CoUigite fragmenta ne pereant." 

The object of this paper is not to present a connected and formal 
history of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, but only to give such facts of 
interest as may have come within the writer's knowledge. These facts, 
however, are so fragmentary and incomplete, and, offered as they are 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 4 1 

just after the hearing of the admirable historical sermon, so like the 
broken pieces collected after the feast, that, for want of a better title, it 
seems appropriate to style them " Fragments that Remain." 

The first public worship to Jehovah and the first preaching of the 
gospel ever heard on the virgin soil of the territory now occupied by 
the Presbytery of Huntingdon, of which there is any record, was one 
hundred and thirty-nine years ago, when the Rev. Charles Beatty, a 
Presbyterian minister, at that time chaplain of Colonel Armstrong's regi- 
ment, preached to the troops encamped on the Beaver Dams near Hol- 
lidaysburg. That was in September, 1756, when Colonel Armstrong's 
regiment was sent against the Indians at Kittanning. Says the Rev. N. 
G. White, in his published sermon, " Never before had the quiet repose 
of the Sabbath been broken by the sound of a call to prayer : its primi- 
tive silence was undisturbed, save by the scream of the wild bird, the 
roar of the beast of prey, or the more terrific yell of the savage Indian." 
The preacher on this occasion was no ordinary character. Charles 
Beatty was one of William Tennent's students. He had received a 
classical education in Ireland. Reaching manhood and coming to this 
country, he engaged in trade; he travelled on foot, or with his pack- 
horse, to display his " auld-warld gear" to the people in their homes. 
Stopping at the old Log College at Neshaminy, he amused himself by 
surprising Tennent with a proffer, in Latin, of his merchandise. Ten- 
nent, perceiving at once that this was " no peddler's Greek," replied in 
Latin ; and the conversation went on in the Roman tongue, with such 
evidence of scholarship, religious knowledge, and fervent piety that 
Tennent commanded him to sell what he had and prepare for the 
ministry. He was not disobedient to the " heavenly vision" ; for he who 
spoke to Saul by the way called Beatty to " this grace and apostleship 
also." * Charles Beatty was the friend and companion of David Brainerd ; 
they were often together, and Brainerd rejoiced in his society. Of 
Charles Beatty we shall hear again ; for the present we go forward to 
the organization of the Presbytery. 

1795 — PRESBYTERY ORGANIZED. 

When the Presbytery of Huntingdon was organized one hundred 
years ago there were on the territory now covered by the Presbytery, 
and not including the part which has been assigned to the Presbytery of 

* History of the Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Richard Webster. 



42 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Northumberland, just seven groups of churches and as many pastors. 
There was one other minister, the Rev. John Hoge, who convened the 
Presbytery and preached the first sermon. However, he was never a 
pastor, and his name does not appear upon the minutes of Presbytery, 
after the first meeting, except in the relation of a supply to some vacant 
churches. 

The several groups of churches, in the order of the priority of their 
formation with their pastors, are as follows : 

1. Lower Tuscarora and Cedar Spring Pastor Hugh Magill, formed 1766. 

2. West Penn's Valley, Warrior Marks, and Half Moon . Pastor James Martin, formed 1775. 

3. East and West Kishacoquillas Pastor James Johnston, formed 1783. 

4. Upper and Centre Pastor Matthew Stevens, formed 1783. 

5. Hart's Log and Huntingdon Pastor John Johnston, formed 1786. 

6. Frankstown Pastor David Bard, formed 1788. 

7. Cedar Creek and Spring Creek Pastor David Wiley, formed 1794. 

These seven groups of churches were like the seven golden candle- 
sticks spoken of in Revelation, and the seven pastors, like the seven 
stars in the hand of the Son of man, stretched forth in mercy over the 
newly-formed settlements. Some of these candlesticks have been re- 
moved, all the stars have ceased to shine, or passed on to shine in other 
skies ; but in their stead seventy-five churches give their light, and the 
hand of his mercy, never withdrawn, now sparkles with many stars. 

LOWER TUSCARORA CHURCH. 

The oldest church in the Presbytery which still preserves its origi- 
nal name is the Lower Tuscarora. On Thursday, the 21st day of 
August, 1766, the Rev. Charles Beatty, accompanied by the Rev. George 
Dufifield, and constituting a committee appointed by the Synod of New 
York and Philadelphia, came to a place in the Tuscarora Valley where 
the people had begun to build a house for worship before the late war 
(1763), but by accident it had been burned. Here, on a spot near where 
the old Tuscarora Academy now stands, Mr. Duffield preached. These 
ministers had crossed the Tuscarora Mountain the day before, preached 
to some settlers farther up the valley, and spent the night at the house 
of William Graham, two and a half miles south, where David B. Esh 
now lives. The valley had been occupied by settlers quite a number of 
years before this time. A note found among my father's papers, and in 
his own handwriting, says, " Robert Hogg, Samuel Bigham, James Grey, 
and John Grey were the four first settlers in Tuscarora Valle}^, and the 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 43 

first white men who came across the Tuscarora Mountain, about the 
year 1749. From Hazzard's Register!' 

But after the harvest season of 1763, when the early settlers were 
surprised, attacked, and many of them cruelly massacred, the valley was 
for a time deserted by its inhabitants, who fled to Carlisle and Shippens- 
burg for refuge. At the time these ministers visited the valley the peo- 
ple were returning, and were ready once more to erect the meeting-house 
which had been burned down. In fact, to quote from Beatty's diary, 
they " propose to build two houses for worship, one about fourteen miles 
from the upper end of the valley, and the other ten miles below it 
towards the Juniata River. As their circumstances are such, at present, 
that they cannot support the gospel, they purpose to join with the peo- 
ple settled upon the other side of the Juniata, but hope in a few years to 
support a minister in the valley." 

This house of worship, referred to in Beatty's diary, was soon after 
erected. It was the pioneer meeting-house of the Presbytery, built of 
round logs, covered with clapboards, and without a floor; but had a 
fireplace in one end, which was a luxury not found in some other 
churches erected later. Interesting reminiscences are still heard in that 
congregation of how our forefathers, dressed in homespun, worshipped 
God in the old Log Cabin Church, and how, to guard against surprise, 
they carried rifles as well as their Bibles, and stationed picket guards on 
favorable positions near the church. The first elders of this church were 
William Bell, Esq., and Captain John Williams. 

About the year 1790, and during the early pastorate of Mr. Magill, a 
second church was built. It was situated at the base of the hill and on 
the northwest side of the road. It was a square log house and of more 
suitable dimensions ; but the architecture and finish of this house were 
also of a very primitive character. The walls were not plastered, and 
there was no ceiling above, and it was lighted with a due regard for 
economy. The pulpit was erected at the west side, and at the base a 
stand for the chorister. There Avas a door at each end of the house, the 
principal aisle extended from one door to the other, and two narrow aisles 
proceeding from this divided the house into five plots of pews, three in 
front and one on each side of the pulpit. A draft sketched in 1803 ex- 
hibits very well the internal and also financial arrangement, designating 
the locality of the pews, with the names of the occupants and the amount 
of stipend for which each occupant was responsible in pounds, shillings, 
and pence. 



44 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

A fine grove was a pleasant circumstance connected with this church, 
extending over the academy grounds and affording comfortable shades 
in all quarters. And in a well-selected spot a tent or stand was erected 
for the ministers, from which in fair weather, when more than an ordinary 
congregation was assembled, they preached to the eager people. 

In 1816 the third building (or, counting the one burnt down before 
the visit of Beatty and Duffield as the first, the fourth) was erected. It 
was built of stone, and still stands at the forks of the road. It has, 
however, been remodelled, and now contains the recitation halls of the 
old Tuscarora Academy. 

The present church was built under the pastorate of the Rev. G. W. 
Thompson, D.D., in 1849, at a cost of six thousand five hundred 
dollars. 

The first regular pastor of the Lower Tuscarora Church was the 
Rev. Hugh Magill, who came in 1776. He was installed in 1779, on the 
fourth Wednesday of November, over this church and the church of 
Cedar Spring. He resigned this part of his charge in 1796.* 

In the latter part of the year 1799 the Rev. John Coulter, then a 
young man, visited the Tuscarora Valley as an itinerant missionary, and 
it is said preached his first sermon at Lower Tuscarora, on the first day 
of January, 1800, — it being the first day of the week, the first day of the 
month, the first day of the year, and the first day of the nineteenth 
century, — from i Cor. ix. 16, "Woe is unto me, if I preach not the 
gospel !" 

Mr. Coulter was a ready and earnest preacher, a watchful and faithful 
pastor. His social qualities as well as his ministerial offices were 
marked with the spirit of the Master. In this region he was the first to 
stem the torrent of evil flowing from the common use of intoxicating 
drink, although encountering fierce opposition in the church as well as 
out of it. 

The first temperance society in Juniata County was organized by him 
on the 27th of April, 1831. This society was called the Lower Tus- 
carora Temperance Society, and anticipated the Washingtonian move- 
ment at least ten years. 



* All the facts relating to the early history of the Lower Tuscarora Church are taken from 
a manuscript prepared by Joseph Kelly, M.D. Dr. Kelly was born November l8, 1795, and 
died May 26, 1877, and was a ruling elder in that church from March lo, 1844, to the time of 
his death. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



45 



The Regulation of Sittings in the Lower Tuscarora Presbyterian Church for 
THE Year 1803. Copied from a Copy of the Original by Rev. Robert Stewart, 
D.D., October 26, 1893. 



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Thos. Hamilton . 
, „ Wm. Forbes . . . 
3 9 John Kerr ... . 

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3 " Nathaniel Beck and 

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Samuel Smeiser . . . ji 



James Smith and 

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George Carver . . .% 



James and Ed. Mil- 
John McCracken . . 
John Hylands . . . 



Thos. Shaver . . . . ^ 
Robert Laughlin . , J^ 
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John WUliams, Jr. 


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46 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



The original constitution contained six articles, of which the most 
important was the third, and is as follows : 

"Article 3d. The members of this Society believing that the use of 
intoxicating liquors is for persons in health not only unnecessary but 
hurtful, and that the practice is the cause of forming intemperate appe- 
tites and habits, and that so long as it is continued the evils of intemper- 
ance can never be prevented, do therefore agree that we will abstain from 
the use of distilled spirits, except as a medicine in case of bodily 
infirmity, that we will not allow the use of them in our families, nor pro- 
vide them for the entertainment of our friends, or for persons in our 
employment, and that in all suitable ways we will discountenance the 
use of them in the community." * 

* The paper which contains the constitution bears also the roll of the officers and members, 
which deserves to be perpetuated, and is here given. 

OFFICERS. 

President. — James Hughes, Esq. 

Vice-President. — James Milliken. 

Secretaries. — Joseph Kelly, M.D., and Robert Barnard. 

Treasurer. — ^James Patterson. 

Auditor. — Samuel Milliken. 



SIGNERS TO THE CONSTITUTION. 



Daniel McDonald. 
Katharine McDonald. 
Alex. Patterson. 
Mary Patterson. 
Samuel Milliken. 
Sarah Milliken. 
John Vankirk. 
James Hughes. 
Cassandra Hughes. 
Fanny Hughes. 
Mary Hughes. 
James Hughes, Jr. 
Robert Barnard. 
Jane Brice. 
Wm. D. Beale. 
Hannah Beale. 
Rachel Beale. 
James Beale. 
John Patterson. 
Agnes Patterson. 
Rachel Patterson. 



Thomas Mairs. 
Elizabeth Mairs. 
Hugh G. Hughes. 
John Gray. 
Eleanor Morrow. 
Andrew McDonald. 
John Rasler. 
Catharine Rasler. 
Susanna Rasler. 
John Krine. 
John Coulter. 
Joseph Kelly. 
Wm. Sterrett. 
John Patterson. 
Barbara Hoke. 
Elizabeth Hoke. 
Mary Goodwin. 
Ann B. Kelly. 
Mary Ann Law. 
Margaret Alexander. 
Moses Kelly. 



Charles McDonald. 
Eleanor McDonald. 
John McDonald. 
Catharine McDonald. 
Elizabeth Burns. 
Martha Milliken. 
Mary Laughlin. 
Ann S. Laird. 
Jane Laird. 
Jane Patterson. 
Jane W. Graham. 
Mary Jane Coulter. 
Noah Hedding. 
Nicholas Okeson. 
Andrew Patterson. 
Rebecca Patterson. 
Mary Jane Armstrong. 
Samuel Reed. 
Patrick Pry. 
Jemima Alexander. 
Jane Ligget. 



Ruth Burns. 
Sarah Burns. 
James Milliken. 
Mary Milliken. 
Milly Milliken. 
Margaret Milliken. 
Isabella Graham. 
Sarah Sedgewick. 
Martha Martin. 
James S. Patton. 
John Williams. 
Elizabeth Martin. 
Jane Martin. 
Maria Martin. 
Margaret Martin. 
Isabella Patton. 
Nathaniel Martin. 
Eliza Glasgow. 
Isabella Y. Martin. 
William Beard. 
Samuel Wharton. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



47 



But Mr. Coulter was far in advance of the common movement ; he 
had rebuked and arrested the unseemly custom of using intoxicating 
refreshments at funerals; he had tested and proved on his ow^n farm the 
practicability of dispensing with its use in the harvest-field, with the 
mutual understanding that instead of the accustomed dram he would 
give additional wages. He discarded it in his family, and in all suitable 
ways discountenanced and denounced its common use in the community. 

In the early part of his ministry Mr. Coulter taught a classical school, 
in which the Rev. David Elliott, D.D., LL.D., at one time Senior Pro- 
fessor of the Western Theological Seminary, and Moderator of the 
General Assembly in 1837, was one of the pupils.* 

" Mr. Coulter was also remarkable for his strict regard for punctuality. 
The day of his death, which occurred on the Sabbath, is said to have 
been the first on which he ever disappointed his congregation. He died 
June 22, 1834. The Rev. John Hutchison spoke at his grave, and said, 
' He being dead yet speaketh.' " 

The next pastor of this church was the Rev. McKnight Williamson, 



Phebe Patterson. 
John Snyder. 
Jane Snyder. 
Ann Rasler. 
James Patterson. 
Margaret Kelly. 
Jane Patterson. 
Ann C. McDonald. 
John McLaughlin. 
Robert Montgomery. 
William Seibert. 
Clementina Seibert. 
James Brice. 
Rachel Brice. 
Eleanor Brice. 
Rachel Brice. 
Sarah S. Brice. 
John McCoy. 
Samuel McWilliams. 
Robert Patterson. 



Samuel Starrett. 
Elizabeth Kelly. 
Sarah Starrett. 
Ann E. Alexander. 
Joseph Barnard. 
Elizabeth Barnard. 
David Alexander. 
Ruth Brice. 
Ann Law. 
Sarah Law. 
William S. Irvin. 
Wilson Laird. 
John Coulter. 
William Patterson. 
Samuel Coder. 
Jane Telfer. 
Jane Beale. 
James Gray. 
Polly Graham. 
ISP- 



Mary A. Gilson. 
McKnight Williamson. 
Isabella Ann Patterson. 
Nancy Turbett. 
Mary Bryson. 
Nancy E. Williams. 
Francis Graham. 
Thomas Gilson. 
Mary Behel. 
William Behel. 
Jane Behel. 
Joseph Ard. 
Mary A. Baird. 
Hannah Hedding. 
Mary McDonald. 
Ephraim Hedding. 
Thomas M. Hedding. 
Hugh Gray. 



Priscilla Wharton. 
Alice Wharton. 
John Berry. 
Nancy Berry., 
Margaret I. Nelson. 
Sarah Nelson. 
William Starkey. 
Martha Starkey. 
Elizabeth Starkey. 
Margaret Starkey. 
Stewart Starkey. 
James Galloway. 
Eleanor Galloway. 
Mary Reed. 
Isabella Starrett. 
Hugh Alexander. 
James McDonald. 
Lydia McDonald. 



* When the writer was a student in the Western Theological Seminary, in 1862, Dr. 
Elliott, then an aged professor, told him that on one of his trips across the Tuscarora Mountain 
to school he met a bear which stood across his path. He was without any weapon of defence, 
but he had heard that the wild animal was afraid of the human eye ; he acted upon the thought, 
looked the bear straight in the eye, and the bear ran away. 



48 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

who was installed in 1835 and released in 1845. Two important events 
distinguished the pastorate of Mr. Williamson. 

The first was. the incorporation of the famous Tuscarora Academy, 
where so many of the young men of the Juniata Valley and elsewhere, 
including such names as James P. Sterrett, Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court of Pennsylvania, ex-Judge Landis, John M. Bailey, Esq., General 
John P. Taylor, J. G. Hartswick, M.D., George M. Graham, M.D., 
Revs. John C. Barr, R. F. Wilson, J. Harris Stewart, Joseph H. Barnard, 
D.D., David J. Beale, D.D., George L. Shearer, D.D., Joseph H. Mathers, 
D.D., Professors John Hamilton and S. S. Orris, received their academical 
training. 

The second event referred to in the ministry of McKnight William- 
son, was the great revival of 1842. In the sketch of the church, from 
which I have been drawing my information, it is said that " from the 
beginning of the year the means of grace appeared to be attended with 
more than ordinary interest and encouragement. But the ensuing Au- 
gust, at a sacramental season, the manifestation of the presence of God 
in his convicting and converting power, and the reviving influence of his 
spirit were amazing. Mr. Williamson was assisted on that occasion by 
the Rev. Wm. Ramsay, D.D., who preached from day to day with pecu- 
Har unction and power. And as the gracious work proceeded thronged 
congregations looked upon it with awe and admiration ; but some doubted. 
Though it was a busy season the congregation generally relinquished 
their worldly cares and business and attended church. An instance is 
mentioned of a farmer who, at an early stage of the progress of the 
meetings, went out in the morning to look after his hands and send 
them to the field. The first man he met declined to go because he 
wanted to go to church, the second man was in the same frame of mind ; 
he came to the third, who, in reply to the summons to go to the field, 
cried out, " Pray for me." Then they all kneeled down there and deter- 
mined to " seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness."* The 

* Since this paper has been published the writer has received a letter from the Rev. W. 
A. Patton, of Osborn, Ohio, in which he says, " Your father gave me from memory substan- 
tially the same account. One incident I well remember ; it was during the great revival. He 
was passing on horseback the large sugar-tree near W. P. Graham's barn (I wonder if it is 
still standing), where he saw in the fence-corner my father on his knees, praying with and for 
my uncle George Gilliford, then a young man. I spoke to my uncle about this incident. He 
said it was true, and believed the prayer was the means under God of his conversion. He 
died last year, a faithful Christian and an honored elder of the Church of Delphi, Indiana." 
The sugar-tree referred to in this note was a magnificent specimen of its kind, much admired 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 49 

effect of that revival was profound, and is clearly manifest to this day. It 
seemed also to have been the beginning of a great revival which extended 
all over the Presbytery the next year. Mr. Williamson continued to be 
the pastor of the Lower Tuscarora Church until 1845, when, at his own 
request, the relation was dissolved. My father spoke of him as an im- 
pressive preacher, an active and watchful pastor, and the most gifted 
man in prayer he had ever heard. I presume the prayers which he 
remembered were fragrant memories of the revival of 1842. 

Mr. Williamson spent many years in the West, returned to this Pres- 
bytery in 1 88 1, and died March 21, 1893, at the residence of his daughter, 
Mrs. W. H. Woods, in Huntingdon, at the advanced age of ninety-three 
years. 

After Mr. Williamson left, the Rev. B. H. Campbell supplied the 
church for a .short time. Next came the Rev. George W. Thompson, 
D.D., a man of singularly persuasive pulpit power. The writer has 
never heard from the lips of man words that thrilled his soul like those 
uttered by his pastor when, as a boy, he sat under his powerful ministry. 
I have heard aged persons in that congregation say, in times of revival, 
that it seemed " the minister was an angel." The same thought often 
crossed my own mind ; and sure am I to-day that in those heavenly 
scenes George W. Thompson was clothed with power from on high. 
A fair sketch of Dr. Thompson's life is found in Gibson's History; but 
recollections far more vivid are impressed upon the hearts and affections 
of that congregation. 

MIFFLINTOWN. 

Contemporaneous with the life of the Lower Tuscarora Church runs 
the history of the Church of Cedar Spring (now Mifflintown and Lost 
Creek). 

The Rev. Charles Beatty and the Rev. George Duffield, who preached 
at Tuscarora, August 21, 1766, rode down the valley that same afternoon, 
a distance of eight miles, to Captain Patterson's (living where Mexico 
now stands). The next day Mr. Beatty preached in the woods about 
two miles north of the Juniata. Here, he says, the people began to build 
a house of worship some years ago, but did not finish it ; but expect soon 
to do it. He adds, " These poor people, as well as those of Tuscarora, 

and the subject of remark by many a stranger. It was blown down by a storm in the summer 
of 1893, and only the stump now marks where it stood, and where under its spreading shade 
our fathers wrestled with God, and at least one soul found the gate of heaven. 

4 



50 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

before mentioned, are very desirous of having the gospel settled among 
them, and for that purpose appeared forward and willing to do every- 
thing in their power ; but for the present, the people here, and in other 
places that have suffered so much by the war, have a number of diffi- 
culties to struggle with, as they have to begin the world anew." 

After sermon the two ministers returned to Captain Patterson's, where 
they agreed to part for a few days, Duffield to return to the Path Valley, 
Great and Little Coves, — to set out on his way that same evening, and 
preach in the Path Valley the following Sabbath, — and Beatty to remain 
at Captain Patterson's over the Sabbath, and the week following preach 
to the settlements up the Juniata. By this arrangement Beatty preached 
on Sabbath, August 24, near the mouth of the " Tuskerora River" (Tus- 
carora Creek), where it empties into the Juniata, to a large congregation 
collected from different quarters and from afar. It is probable that an- 
nouncements for this meeting had been made at the meetings held the 
week before, and that as a consequence the settlers came from their log 
cabins and clearings far up the valley that day, to be met by others from 
the opposite side of the Juniata, and to hear, as far as any record war- 
rants us to believe, the first sermon ever preached in the Tuscarora 
Valley on the Lord's day. The exact spot where the preacher stood is 
not known ; but it requires little imagination to suppose that the sound 
of his voice in the open air that midsummer Sabbath might have been 
heard from where any one of the Port Royal churches now stand. 

In his diary, Mr. Beatty says, " The audience appeared very attentive 
and much engaged. I would fain hope that some good impressions 
were made upon the minds of a number of people who attended to-day. 
In the afternoon, being in the open air, we were interrupted by a very 
heavy shower of rain, attended with a high wind and sharp thunder, 
which obliged us to take shelter in a neighboring house as well as we 
could. The women and a great part of the men crowded into it, and 
there I finished my discourse. After sermon I went to a house about a 
mile off and baptized a child, born the last night, and returned to Cap- 
tain Patterson's in the evening." 

The next day (Monday) he resumed his journey up the Juniata, 
" through a bad road to a place called the Narrows, where a rocky 
mountain bounds so close upon the river as to leave only a small path 
along the bank for the most part, and this, for about ten miles, very un- 
even : at this time also greatly encumbered by trees fallen across it, blown 
up from the roots some time ago by a hard gale of wind," so that he 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 5 I 

was obliged to walk some part of the way, and in some places to go 
along the edge of the water. 

But we cannot now follow this pioneer preacher on his toilsome 
journey up the Juniata to the settlements beyond ; we leave him for the 
present to pursue his journey with his interpreter and Indian guide, and 
return to note the progress of growth where he had been sowing the 
good seed of the kingdom the week before. 

Two years afterwards the name of the Presbyterian Church of Cedar 
Spring appears upon the records of the Presbytery of Donegal. Octo- 
ber I, 1768, the congregation made a formal "supplication" for supplies. 
At the next meeting of the Presbytery, April, 1769, the Cedar Spring 
congregation joined with Tuscarora in supplication for supplies, and the 
Rev. Mr. Cooper was sent to these churches. Afterwards a Mr. Rhea 
was called, but it is not known that he ever preached in either church. 

In 1 77 1 the Rev. J. Kennedy came to this field; how long he stayed 
is not definitely known, but that he remained several years may be in- 
ferred from the mention of his name in the diary of a young minister 
who visited this place in June, 1775. 

The name of this minister was Philip Vicars Fithian. The brilliant 
diary of his travels through these valleys one hundred and twenty years 
ago is still preserved. He was a graduate of the class of 1772 in the 
College of New Jersey, a class noted for its ability and the subsequent 
prominence of many of its members, — among whom were Aaron Burr, 
Vice-President of the United States, William Bradford, Attorney-General 
of the United States, and the Rev. William Linn, D.D. Mr. Fithian 
received an appointment from the Presbytery of Donegal, to preach at 
Cedar Spring, June 25, 1775. 

His diary reads thus : 

" Sunday, June 25. — Cedar Springs, Cumberland County. A large 
and genteel society, but in great and furious turmoil about one Mr. 
Kennedy, who was once their preacher. Poor I was frightened. One 
of the society, when he was asked to set the tune, answered that he knew 
not whether I was a Papist or a Methodist or a Baptist or a Seceder ? 
I made him soon acquainted with my authority." 

Mr. Fithian was entertained on this occasion by the writer's great- 
grandfather, John Harris, Esq., the founder of Mififlintown, whose house 
stood on the bank of the river. Of him, in his diary, he says, " He lives 
elegantly : in the parlor where I was sitting are three windows, each with 
twenty-four lights of large glass." 



52 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Later on in the evening he says, " It is now sunset ; I am now sitting 
under a dark tuft of willows and large sycamores close on the bank of 
the beautiful river Juniata. The river near two hundred yards wide, 
lined with willows, sycamores, walnuts, white oaks, and a fine bank, — 
what are my thoughts? Fair genius of this water, O tell me, Will not 
this in some future time be a vast, pleasant, and very populous country? 
Are not many large towns to be raised on these shady banks ? I seem 
to wish to be transferred forward only one century. Great God ! America 
will surprise the world." 

Whether Philip Fithian would have realized his dream had he been 
permitted to come back to that spot after a hundred years no one can 
tell. But could he have done so, certain it is he would not have seen 
the fine house in which he was then being entertained, — only the place 
where it had stood, the house itself torn down, while a little farther on 
he would have seen the beautiful village of Mifflintown, its churches, its 
schools, its court-house, and its one thousand inhabitants ; and on the 
very spot where he was sitting the ruins of the old Pennsylvania Canal, 
built since he was there before at enormous cost, but abandoned long 
since ; while in front of him and across the river he would have seen an 
iron road on which were passing transcontinental trains drawn by a 
mighty and mysterious power with a swiftness surpassing the fleetness 
of a running horse, and bearing the traffic of the world. 

The early history of the Cedar Spring Church is singular. In 1766- 
67 the congregation obtained a grant of two hundred acres of land 
for a glebe. This land afterwards became an occasion of disturbance in 
the congregation, and of misunderstanding between the people and the 
minister, the Rev. Hugh Magill. The Presbytery sent a committee to 
meet at the church and to assist in an effort to effect a reconciliation ; 
but the committee found the doors of the meeting-house nailed up, and 
reported to Presbytery that they could not enter. 

In the winter of 1798-99 a new church building was begun on a lot 
deeded to the congregation by Jean Harris, the widow of John Harris. 
For some reason the church was not completed at that time. On the 
13th of February of that year (1799) an act of the Legislature was 
passed authorizing a number of gentlemen to act as commissioners to 
" raise by lottery a sum of money, not to exceed two thousand dollars, 
to be applied to defraying the expenses of completing the building of the 
Presbyterian Meeting-House in Mifflintown." Dr. Mathers says this 
lottery was never held. The church remained unfinished for more than 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 53 

five years. But in 1805 the Rev. John Hutchison, recently called, 
preached a sermon fi-om Haggai i. 4, " Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell 
in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste ?" The effect of that 
sermon was salutary. The people were roused; they finished the 
church, and they put their hands into their own pockets and paid for it. 
Reminding you again that this paper is only fragmentary and does not 
claim to be a complete history of any community, I hasten on to gather 
up some of the crumbs of history, scattered long ago in Penn's Valley. 



PENN S VALLEY. 

For almost all the information which is contained in this paper about 
the early churches of Penn's Valley the writer gratefully acknowledges 
the kindness of the Hon. John B. Linn, of Bellefonte, who generously 
furnished his own historical notes, which have been prepared with great 
care and are of exceeding great value. The writer is sure that this 
Presbytery will join with him in thanking the author for the use of his 
manuscript from which he now quotes. 

The vanguard of Scotch-Irish immigration were George McCormick, 
James Potter, Joseph McGrew, and John McMullin, who arrived in Penn's 
Valley in 1773-74. The first sermon ever delivered within the present 
limits of Centre County was at Captain (afterwards General) Potter's. 
The Rev. William Linn, coming not by regular appointment, but as a 
visitor to Captain Potter's home, preached at his house July 23, 1775. 
Mr. Linn remained at Captain Potter's over the next Sabbath, July 30. 
That same Sabbath, Philip V. Fithian, who was then on his rounds filling 
appointments of the Presbytery of Donegal, preached at Great Island 
(now Lock Haven). The next Monday he rode up the Bald Eagle 
Creek and stopped overnight, July 31, with Andrew Boggs, at "Bald 
Eagle's Nest," so called because an Indian of the name of Bald Eagle 
had built his wigwam there between two trees. Here, the next morning, 
August I, 1775, he held a service of prayer in the presence of some In- 
dians and a roomful of other people, no doubt the first religious service 
held by any minister in what is now the borough of Milesburg. 

The next Sabbath found Mr. Fithian at the house of Captain James 
Potter, where he had an appointment to preach that day. In his journal 
he tells his own story in the following fashion, — viz., " Sunday Aug. 6th 
1775, I rise early, before any of the family, except the negro girl. Just 
at my bed head a windovv under which stands a table. Here I laid my 



54 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

clean linen finished last night by Mrs. Potter. The night had been very- 
stormy. When I awoke, I found a large dog had jumped in through an 
open of the window, and had softly bedded himself dripping with water 
and mud among my clean washed clothes. At first I was enraged, I 
bore it however with a sabbath day's moderation. 

"At one, we commenced services in Capt Potter's house, Only eight 
men and not one woman besides the family present. We had in the 
morning a most violent storm, I preached two sermons, with only ten 
minutes intermission — a most violent, boisterous day. My little con- 
gregation heard with eagerness. Capt. Potter tells me, there are only 
twenty eight (28) families in the valley; twenty two (22) of these are 
subscribers, and they have raised ^40 (equal to $5.00 per family) to pay 
supplies." 

The formation of a Presbyterian society in the Penn's Valley may 
be confidently predicated as of the year 1775; for the following year. 
May 22, 1776, application was made to the Synod of New York and 
Philadelphia by the Presbyterian Society for supplies. (See Records of 
the Presbyterian Church.) 

The families forming the congregation were the AUenders, Arthurs, 
Caldwells, Davis, John Hall, Hustons, Livingstons, McCormicks, Mc- 
Dowells, McGrews, McMullins, McVicars, Moores, Orrs, Captain Pot- 
ter, Reeds, Reynolds, Thomas Thompson, William Thompson, Sr., John 
Watson, Wilsons, and George Woods. No records of this early society 
have been preserved ; but George McCormick, John Watson, and George 
Woods were of the early elders. 

In the fall of 1777, Robert McKim, a stanch Presbyterian, came into 
the valley. He was precentor, — that is, leader of the congregation in 
the Psalmody. 

Like other congregations of the period, there was probably no formal 
organization of the congregation ; hence the term " society" assumed or 
applied to frontier congregations. Usually elders, ordained elsewhere, 
were of the early settlers; to these the people paid respect and gathered 
about for worship. A paper was circulated for subscriptions for supplies, 
and the supplies, finding the people thus banded together, proceeded to 
preach the word and administer the ordinances without disturbing the 
voluntary organizations. Such, at least, is the tradition. 

At that time the centre of the Presbyterian community was Spring 
Mills, and the congregation was known afterwards as East Penn's Valley 
Congregation. We have no record of the erection of a house of worship 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 55 

prior to the abandonment of the valley in 1779 in consequence of Indian 
raids. 

The inhabitants returned in 1784, and soon afterwards the Log 
Church comes into notice : the first in the valley and county of any de- 
nomination. Its site, a little east of Penn Hall, is sentinelled by the lone 
marble slab of its first regular pastor, the Rev. James Martin. 

Soon after the return of the people, the congregation, by reason of 
the extent of the territory occupied, naturally separated into the congre- 
gations of East and West Penn's Valley, and so appears in the records. 
To accommodate the West Penn's Valley, General James Potter gave ten 
acres of ground for a church and burial purposes, near the present site 
of Linden Hall. Logs were hewn and hauled for a church, but a dis- 
pute arising about the location of the building, the church was never 
roofed ; and the graveyard, where lie some of the Potters, Kings, and 
Culbertsons, only remains to indicate where the Cedar Creek Church 
was, in part, erected. 

The first settled pastor within the present bounds of Centre County 
was the Rev. James Martin. He accepted a call from East and West 
Penn's Valley, Warrior Marks, and Half Moon congregations April 15, 
1789. He removed and lived on what has long been known as the 
Musser Place, Gregg Township, a little eastward of Penn Hall ; and the 
East Penn's Valley Church was erected on his land. The West Penn's 
Valley part of Mr. Martin's charge originally covered the territory occu- 
pied by Cedar Creek and Spring Creek, with the head of Cedar Creek 
as its location for preaching. But soon after Mr. Martin's settlement, 
population increasing rapidly. Spring Creek or a point on the Slab Cabin 
Branch of Spring Creek was also chosen as a place or station for preach- 
ing. At that time what had been called the West Penn's Valley congre- 
gation resolved itself into the two churches called Cedar Creek and 
Spring Creek, and the name of West Penn's Valley was dropped, as the 
name of Cedar Creek was subsequently, all, or nearly all, being absorbed 
by Spring Creek, with a few families going to Sinking Creek in the 
bounds of what was the territory of the East Penn's Valley congrega- 
tion. 

David Whitehill came into the valley and settled near the end of 
Nittany Mountain in the year 1789, and soon after presented a site for a 
church and burial-ground on the Slab Cabin Branch of Spring Creek, 
where a church was soon after erected. Among its first elders were 
David Whitehill, Esq., Thomas Ferguson (afterwards Judge Ferguson), 



56 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

David Barr, and George McCormick, who had removed from Spring Mills 
to the Slab Cabin neighborhood. 

On the 9th of April, 1794, the Rev. David Wiley was installed pastor 
of Cedar Creek and Spring Creek congregations. Among the members 
of his congregation in 1794 were Hon. Adam Gregg, David McKim, 
Samuel Wilson, Peter Wilson, M. Long, James Graham, Samuel Graham, 
Thomas Sankey, James Potter, John Reynolds, William Reynolds, John 
Mayberry, James Cook, William Pastorius, George Robinson, John Bar- 
ker, Esq., Henry Thompson, James Wilson, and John Pedan. 

The next prominent event was the convening of the Presbytery of 
Huntingdon in the East Penn's Valley Church (Mr. Martin's), on the 14th 
of April, 1795. 

Huntingdon Presbytery was formed under the direct authority of the 
General Assembly, and its first meeting was directed to be held on " the 
second Tuesday, 14th of April, 1795, at Mr. Martin's church, in Penn's 
Valley." Accordingly it was constituted in that church, by the Rev, 
John Hoge, after he had preached from John i. 12, "But as many as 
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even 
to them that believe on his name." 

Two months and six days after the convening of the Presbytery, 
June 20, 1795, the Rev. James Martin died. His grave is the only one 
marked in the old graveyard on the Musser farm, where the East Penn's 
Valley congregation worshipped, and the spot where the Huntingdon 
Presbytery was cradled. 

On the slab covering his remains is inscribed, — 

" Here lies the body of the Rev. James Martin, Pastor of the first 
Presbyterian Congregation in Penn's Valley, who died June 20th. 1795. 
aged about 65 years. 

" Deep was the wound, O Death, and vastly wide. 
When he resigned his useful breath and died. 
Ye sacred tribes with pious sorrow mourn. 
And drop a tear at your dear Pastor's urn. 

" Concealed a moment from our longing eyes, 

Beneath this stone his mortal body lies. 

Happy, the spirit lives ; and will, we trust. 

In bliss associate with his pious dust." 

Mr. Martin was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to America in 
1774. He was enrolled a member of the Presbytery of Donegal June 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 57 

18, 1777. At the time of his death his congregation embraced more 
members than any other charge in Huntingdon Presbytery. He is said 
to have been an able, earnest, orthodox, and popular preacher. Gibson's 
History contains a sketch of his life. The Hon. Martin Bell, now presi- 
dent judge of Blair County, Pennsylvania, is a representative of his 
descendants now living. 

After Mr. Martin's death the name of the East Penn's Valley con- 
gregation disappears from the records, and that of Sinking Creek takes 
its place, under the pastorate of Mr. Wiley, in connection with Spring 
Creek. 

On the 4th of October, 1797, Mr. Wiley resigned his connection with 
Sinking Creek ; the congregation was declared vacant, and on the 12th 
of May, 1799, he was released from Spring Creek, in both instances at 
his own request, and with the consent of the respective congregations. 



EAST AND WEST KISHACOQUILLAS. 

The churches of East and West Kishacoquillas stand forth next in 
historical mention. Land was surveyed in the valley in 1755, but owing 
to the Indian raids and the French war no permanent settlements were 
made until about twenty years later. 

On Sunday, August 13, 1775, the next Sabbath after Philip V. Fithian 
had preached at Captain Potter's in Penn's Valley, the same minister 
preached to the East Kishacoquillas Congregation. In his diary of this 
date he says, " There is a large society and it makes a good appearance. 
We were in the forenoon in a large barn ; it was too small, and we went 
into a fine meadow (the meadow of Judge Brown), opposite the present 
village of Reedsville, Mifflin County. I am told the people of this vil- 
lage are all united in religious matters — all Presbyterians, and all or- 
thodox, primitive Presbyterians too, all except eight sour unbrotherly 
Seceders, and a sociable and agreeable churchman, Mr. Landrum. For 
supply Esquire Brown gave me 20 shillings 9 pence." 

The next Sabbath Mr. Fithian preached (August 20, 1775) in West 
Kishacoquillas, in a barn of Robert Brotherton (or Brokerton), twice. 
For this supply John McDowell gave him twenty shillings. 

For a period of eight years there is no other mention of preaching in 
that valley, but a call bearing date of March 15, 1783, and still preserved, 
with the names of sixty-nine of the members of the two congregations 
of East and West Kishacoquillas, for the pastoral services of the Rev. 



58 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

James Johnston, makes it clear that at that time there were two strong 
congregations ah-eady organized, and were provided with places of 
worship. 

A description of the first church of East Kishacoquillas is given in 
the historical sermon of the Rev. Andrew H. Parker, pastor of that 
church, and delivered in the year 1883, which is in part as follows, — 
viz. : " It was a rough log building one story high, without any plaster- 
ing, without any floor, and without any fireplace or provision made for 
heating. It had windows on each side of the door, on the opposite 
side, and perhaps at each end; but the lights were small and few in 
number. The seats were slab benches made of split logs without backs. 
The coldest season of the year the minister had to preach, and the peo- 
ple came to hear him with their overcoats buttoned up to their chins. 
And seldom were the sermons less than an hour and a half, and often 
much longer. Judge Kyle stated, at one time in particular, whilst a 
boy, he came a straight course through the fields, with snow-shoes, on 
snow over the tops of the fences, to attend church in the old log meet- 
ing-house, and not a spark of fire, much less fireplace or stove, in the 
house. The pastor stood up manfully to his work, with surtout but- 
toned to his chin, preaching to a full house, and not a shiver or shake 
among the entire congregation, although the mercury was near zero at 
the time." 

Contrast that scene with the elegant, beautiful, and comfortable church 
in which the sessions of this Presbytery were held six months ago, and 
it will help us to measure, in some degree at least, " the great things 
which the Lord hath done for us." 

CHURCHES ALONG THE JUNIATA, WEST OF LEWISTOWN. 

The history of the churches along the Juniata, west of Lewistown, 
begins with the visit of the Rev. Charles Beatty, August 26, 1766. On 
that day, Tuesday, he preached to " a considerable number of people, 
collected together at a place in the woods, where a mill was building, 
near to which a house of worship is intended to be built, as being most 
essential to the inhabitants of those parts." 

The preaching place here mentioned is supposed to be near the old 
Bratton graveyard, and here a few years later a log church was built. 
The tradition is still retained in old families that the Rev. Charles Beatty 
preached the first sermon ever preached in that neighborhood in that 
place, near to which the Brattons had a saw-mill. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 59 

Referring again to Mr. Beatty's diary we read, " While the people 
were convening it began to rain, and the rain continuing, obliged as 
many as could to crowd into a small house. While I was preaching 
and the people were very attentive, we were alarmed by a rattlesnake 
creeping into the house among the people, supposed to have gotten in 
under the logs of the house, it being pretty open. But this venomous 
creature was happily discovered, and killed before it did any damage. 
Scarcely were the people composed again, before we were alarmed anew 
by a snake of another kind being discovered among the people, which 
was also killed, without any detriment, besides disturbing us. The 
providence of God appeared very remarkable in preserving us from the 
venom of the creatures, and more so, as these people were so crowded 
together, as that it might be a just matter of wonder how these creatures 
could crawl through the congregation without being in some way 
offended by them, which always excites them to bite. 

" However the auditors all got composed again, and were attentive 
the remaining part of the discourse, which was the first sermon ever 
preached in these parts. 

" Here I baptized several children, and after sermon rode about four 
and a half miles with one of the audience and lodged at his house." 

The next early notice of preaching in this region we find in a state- 
ment furnished the historian of the Juniata Valley by William P. Elliott, 
of Lewistown. From his statement it appears that " On the 24th of 
May, 1781, David Steele conveyed to James Huston, Thomas Martin, 
and Robert Chambers, Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation, two 
acres of land on the north side of the Juniata River, in consideration 
of 'fiveteen' bushels of good sufficient merchantable wheat, with the 
privilege of the use of the head of the spring of water, arising on the 
northwest side of the said forementioned tract or lot of ground ; and 
also for liberty for a road from the said tract to the present landing of 
him the said David Steele, and what other roads may be necessary for 
the other parts of the said congregation to come from the ' great trading 
road' to the said lot or tract of ground ; likewise the said David Steele 
doth grant as much timber as will be sufficient to build a house of wor- 
ship and study house on the said lot or tract of ground, and to allow 
privilege of firewood from time to time and at all times, that may be 
necessary for the use of said house of worship and study house." 

Upon this lot a log church was built and a graveyard enclosed. It 
is now on the farm of James Shepherd. The logs of the church were 



6o THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

still there, about three or four feet high, in 1836. The burial-ground 
contains many graves, among which are the families of the Armstrongs, 
Lyons, Mienhart, Steele, Rittenhouse, Gemmill, and others. The church 
was in use many years. William P. Elliott says that " the Rev. Matthew 
Stephens used to preach in this log church and in the loft of the still- 
house on Archibald Moore's farm, now owned by William A. Moore in 
Oliver Township." 

The accuracy of the above statement of William P. Elliott has been 
questioned. Dr. Gibson's History of the Presbytery does not mention it. 
Mr. William A. Moore, who was born February 4, 1804, is still living; 
but though born and raised on the farm where the still-house is said to 
have stood, he has no recollection of having ever seen or heard of it. 

Possibly Mr. Stephens might have preached in a still-house loft else- 
where; but in regard to the church described as being on the farm of 
Mr. Shepherd, the minuteness of Mr. Elliott's statement about it and the 
graveyard adjoining would render it easy to test its accuracy, both as 
to whether there was such a church and the site on which it stood. The 
writer is not familiar with the locality, and has not had opportunity to 
visit it. 

All this region was in Mr. Stephens's time included in Wayne Town- 
ship. It is known that Mr. Stephens resided in Wayne Township from 
1785 to 1795, on land now included in Bratton Township. He probably 
preached during that decade at points along the river, extending from 
Jack's Narrows to the Lewistown Narrows. At the time the Presbytery 
was organized, in 1795, he was holding a call from " Upper and Central 
Wayne." " Central Wayne" has since been known as McVeytown. But 
the terms " Upper and Central" imply that there was probably a Lower 
Wayne, which may have been the church here referred to. 

UP THE RIVER. 

Still following the banks of the Juniata, we find that the next surging 
of the tide of Scotch-Irish immigration sends its top wave far up the 
stream past " Standing Stone" into the lateral valleys of Hart's Log, 
Shaver's Creek, Sinking Valley, Spruce Creek, Warrior Marks, and Half 
Moon. In the two valleys last named it was met by the advancing swell 
of population coming up Penn's Valley from the east, and which, as we 
have already seen, was soon after, in the year 1789, provided for _ and 
united with West Penn's Valley under the pastoral care of the Rev. 
James Martin. 



;hl; 



HART S LOG. 





THIS TOKEN HAS ON THE EDGE OR RIM THIS INSCRIPTION : 
|si PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CHARLESTON, S. C, 180O. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 6 1 



HART S LOG. 

But without doubt, prior to the arrangement referred to above, Hart's 
Log was the centre for Presbyterian effort for all this region. The time 
of the earliest existence of a congregation at that point is fixed as not 
later than 1786. An old account of that date has been found with 
" Mr. John Spencer, for building a house of worship for the Hart's Log 
Congregation." 

The Rev. John C. Barr, in his historical sermon, gives several good 
reasons why he believes there was preaching, even at an earlier date, 
the last of which reasons is this, — viz., " The older people yet among us 
who worshipped at Hart's Log say they remember two trees in which 
notches had been cut, and to which a board had been fastened for the 
purpose of making a preaching desk for the minister, and from the 
changes in these notches in the growth of the trees as they remember 
them, they infer that they had been made many years before that time, 
and, as Mr. Barr asks, 'Why made at all if at the time they had a house 
in which to preach ?' " 

One year later the Hart's Log congregation joined with the Shaver's 
Creek congregation in a call for the pastoral services of the Rev. John 
Johnston. That same year (1787) the Hart's Log people determined to 
repair the church according to the following specifications, — namely, 
" To lay a floor, have six large windows and one small one, to have a door 
made, and to have it daubed and underpirlned, also to have a convenient 
place or pulpit for the minister, and a table." 

Hart's Log has been called a " Mother of Churches." For although 
it is known that in 1786 there were Presbyterians scattered through all 
these valleys, it was not till one year later (1787) that Shaver's Creek 
was strong enough to make herself heard in a cry for the gospel, and 
three years later (1789) that Warrior Marks, Half Moon, and Hunting- 
don were supplied with the preached word. All these churches, as well 
as Spruce Creek and Sinking Valley, derived a considerable portion of 
their strength from Hart's Log. Huntingdon at the beginning was only 
an outpost of that congregation, and shared the services of the same 
pastor, the Rev. John Johnston. 

Alexandria is also an offshoot of Hart's Log, and when the Williams- 
burg Church was organized, most of the thirty-five original members 
were communicating members of the Hart's Log Church. (The writer, 
through the kindness of the Rev. A. H. Jolly, a former pastor of the 



62 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Alexandria Church, is the fortunate possessor of a "token"* once used 
on sacramental occasions in this old historic church.) 

WARRIOR MARKS.f 

But although Hart's Log appears to have flourished to a degree be- 
yond all the neighboring communities of that time, yet it is certain there 
was occasional preaching at Warrior Marks as early, if not a few months 
earlier than at Hart's Log. 

Matthew Stephens preached at Warrior Marks the fourth Sabbath of 
June, 1786, Mr. Wilson, a licentiate, six weeks later, and a Mr. Caldwell, 
"a probationer from Ireland," the third Sabbath of May, 1788. The 
spot where this preaching took place was two miles southeast of the 
present village of Warrior Marks, a short distance west of the Dry Hol- 
low ore-bank, and easily located by two springs (the only springs in the 
Dry Hollow) which rise near it. The site of the old church was pointed 
out to the writer in 1876. It was then all overgrown with small oak- 
trees ; but a sHght rise in the surface of the ground indicated where the 
church stood. Stone markers at the head and feet of a number of graves 
were still standing. 

The location of this church was evidently a compromise, a half-way 
meeting place between the widely separated communities of Spruce 
Creek, Sinking Valley, and Half Moon. It was not long, however, until 
Spruce Creek and Sinking Valley had meeting-houses of their own nearer 
home, and in 1798 they were united under the pastoral care of Rev. 
Samuel Bryson, who was ordained and installed over these congregations 
at a meeting of Presbytery, held at the house of Robert McCartney, on 
the hill north of the present village of Franklinville, November 20, of 
that year. 



* Tokens at the communion season were in common use in most of the churches of this 
Presbytery as late as 1850, about which time their use was discontinued. Like the Hart's Log 
tolcen here represented, they were simply a leaden disk with the initials of the name of the 
church and sometimes of the pastor stamped upon it. The writer has seen a token of the 
Lewistown Church which was made of sheet brass. But not any of the tokens of churches 
within this Presbytery rivalled the beauly of the token of the First Church of Charleston, South 
Carolina. This was of silver. The original of the impression here given is now in possession 
of the Rev. Harvey Graeme Furbay, Ph.D. Another is in possession of Robert Shiells, and 
is fully described in his admirably told " Story of the Token," published by John Ireland, 
1 197 Broadway, New York. 

f Originally spelled as above, but now Warrior's Mark. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 6$ 

HOLLIDAYSBURG. 

Returning again to the Juniata, and tracing the principal branch 
towards its source in the Alleghanies, we find that in 1768 two cousins, 
WiUiam and Adam HoUiday, entered and took possession of separate 
tracts of one thousand acres each, including that on which the town of 
HoUidaysburg now stands. These men were Presbyterians, they came 
from Mercersburg. Two years afterwards their pastor, the Rev. John 
King, was sent as a supply to the " destitute settlements of the Upper 
Juniata," and preached in the house of William HoUiday, near Franks- 
town. Dr. King was followed by Rev. Mr. Dougal, and perhaps other 
supplies occasionally until 1788, about which time the church of HoUi- 
daysburg (then called Frankstown) was organized. The first pastor of 
this church was the Rev. David Bard, who also supplied the Presbyterian 
community at Williamsburg at stated times. He was elected to the first 
Congress of the United States, and represented his congressional district 
for twenty-two consecutive years, attending Congress during the winter, 
and preaching during the rest of the year. He was pastor of the Franks- 
,town Church at the time of the organization of the Presbytery, and 
October, 1799, was allowed to resign his charge at that place. After 
this he was the stated supply of the Sinking Valley Church up to the 
time of his death, which occurred at Alexandria on his return home 
from Congress, March 12, 1815, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dr. 
Buchanan. His remains lie in Sinking Valley cemetery near Arch 
Spring. 

I have now traced the growth of the Presbytery of Huntingdon from 
the Tuscarora to the Alleghanies, and in the order of time I have only 
reached the beginning of the present century. 

It was some time afterwards that the Presbytery of Huntingdon en- 
tered the county of Clearfield, and that part of Centre which lies beyond 
the mountains. 

CLEARFIELD. 

In April, 1803, the Presbytery of Huntingdon appointed the Rev. 
William Stuart to visit Chincleclamoose one day at his discretion and 
preach. At the same meeting a similar appointment was made for Rev. 
Henry R. Wilson, of Bellefonte. 

In 1806 the General Assembly sent fifty copies of the Shorter Cate- 
chism to the Presbytery, with orders to distribute them. The Presbytery 
instructed the Rev. William Stuart to take twenty-five copies to Chin- 



64 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

cleclamoose, Rev. Henry R. Wilson to scatter twelves copies along the 
Bald Eagle Creek, and the Rev. Isaac Grier to spread the remaining 
thirteen above the Great Island. Some time afterwards the Rev. James 
Linn, of Bellefonte, was sent into the same region to preach and to 
catechise. Whether the seed thus sown and carefully cultivated has ever 
yielded its proper harvest history does not state, but the numerous and 
flourishing churches in the region described would seem to encourage 
the continued circulation of the Shorter Catechism and the faithful cate- 
chising of the people therein. 

There are many fragments of local and biographical history which 
still remain to be gathered. The Presbytery of Huntingdon is a fruitful 
field, abundant in incident illustrative of the heroic self-sacrifice of the 
people and the faithful devotion of the ministers. During the century 
God blessed the churches with many seasons of refreshing. Children 
were born who under the sound of the gospel grew up to strong man- 
hood and fair womanhood, lived in the fear of God, passed on to old age, 
and went up to heaven, of whom many a shining chapter might be writ- 
ten. But I must not trespass further upon your time and patience. 

Permit one other reference and I close. There is a vacant seat in the 
Presbytery of Huntingdon to-day; there is a vacancy on the Centennial 
Committee, and there is a vacancy on the programme. George Elliott, 
that genial, kindly, noble brother whose hearty hand-shake, cheerful 
voice, and beaming eye brought sunshine into all our hearts and homes, 
is not here. With what enthusiasm he looked forward to this occasion, 
and labored for its success ! But he died in the midst of his labors, a 
soldier of the cross of Jesus, on the field of battle, and to him it has 
been given to celebrate the centennial of this Presbytery in " the General 
Assembly and church of the First-born, which are written in heaven." 



SOURCES OF PRESBYTERIANISM IN HUNTINGDON 
PRESBYTERY. 

D. W. WOODS, ESQ. 

The subject assigned to me confines my address to the period before 
the organization of this Presbytery. 

To write or speak about " The Sources of Presbyterianism in the 
Huntingdon Presbytery" before 1795, when it was organized, is a difficult 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 65 

matter to do, owing to the want of ofificial records and the fact that no 
one is now hving who could furnish any information on the subject. 

I here desire to acknowledge the aid received from General James 
A. Beaver, John B. Linn, — through General Beaver, — Hon. William M. 
Hall, Rev. Geo. B. Stewart, and Rev. Robt. F. Wilson. 

According to my judgment the only true source of Presbyterianism 
in this Presbytery, or anywhere else, is the teaching of the apostles as 
found in the divine word. But this, I take it, is not what the Committee 
intended, but rather the means or causes which led to the establishing of 
Presbyterianism within our bounds. The territory now embraced in the 
Huntingdon Presbytery was at one time part of Donegal Presbytery, and 
afterwards part of Carlisle Presbytery. 

A great many of the early settlers were Scotch and Scotch-Irish 
Presbyterians, and some also of the Huguenots. These men brought 
their Bibles and religion with them, and as soon as they had built their 
rude and primitive homes to shelter them and their famihes, and there 
was a sufficient number of them, they proceeded to erect a church and a 
school-house. 

Our forefathers believed in education, the Confession of Faith, and the 
Shorter Catechism. Nor were these frontier settlements neglected by the 
Synod of New York and Philadelphia, and the Presbyteries of Donegal 
and Carlisle. 

In the summer of 1766 the Rev. Charles Beatty and Rev, George 
Duffield were appointed by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia to 
make a missionary tour through all this section. 

By the journal of Rev. Charles Beatty we find they came over the 
mountains from Carlisle, preached in Tuscarora Valley in the woods near 
what is now Academia, in August, 1766, and also to the Cedar Spring 
congregation, August 22, 1766, and lodged with Captain James Patter- 
son, August 23, who was a leading man and prominent Presbyterian. 
At this point these ministers separated ; Rev. George Duffield went to 
Path Valley and Rev. Charles Beatty came up the Juniata to Mifflin 
County. The first attempt, so far as known, to erect a church in what is 
now Juniata County was made in 1762 or 1763, at Cedar Spring; but 
before it was completed the settlers were driven off by the Indians and 
compelled to flee to Carlisle and other places of refuge. 

About the year 1766 or 1767, and after the visit of the two mis- 
sionaries spoken of, another and larger church building was erected near 
the site of the old one, and an order of survey. No. 3268, for two hundred 

5 



66 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

acres of land was procured from the Land Office "in trust for a Presby- 
terian meeting-house and graveyard." The meeting-house was built 
upon this land, and was used by the congregation until about 1799, when 
the congregations of Mifflintown and Lost Creek each built a house of 
worship, and the old meeting-house was abandoned. 

The first official notice of Cedar Spring congregation is found in the 
records of Donegal Presbytery, October I, 1768, at which time Cedar 
Spring congregation made application for supplies. The Rev. Mr. 
Cooper was appointed. 

In April, 1769, a joint application was received by the same Presby- 
tery from Tuscarora and Cedar Spring congregations for a supply. 
The Rev. Mr. Cooper was again appointed, and served both congrega- 
tions. At the April meeting of Presbytery, 1 771, the congregations of 
Tuscarora and Cedar Spring presented a call to the Rev. Mr. Rhea. 
Some time in 1 771 Rev. S. Kennedy, a minister from the north of Ire- 
land, settled among the Cedar Spring congregation, and in 1774 or 1775 
they built a parsonage upon the tract of land owned by the congrega- 
tion, which Mr. Kennedy occupied until about 1779, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Hugh McGill, who continued many years as pastor of 
Tuscarora and Cedar Spring congregations, and was one of the constituent 
members of this, the Huntingdon Presbytery, upon its organization. 

There appears to have been at a very early period a log church in 
Lack Township, Juniata County, at what is now known as McWilliams's 
Graveyard, about three miles above Waterford. 

In speaking of the churches in Juniata County, I desire to mention an 
incident which may not be out of place here. When I was a boy, Rev. 
John Hutchison was a frequent visitor at my father's, and I was present 
on one occasion when Mr. Hutchison told my father this incident. He 
said at one time he was on his way to Bellefonte to preach for Rev. 
James Linn, and on the Seven Mountains he was stopped by two noted 
highwaymen, Lewis and Clark, who infested the mountains of Centre 
County. After robbing him of all the money he had and his watch, he 
said to them, " Now, men, I wish you would let me have fifty cents back ; 
I am going to Bellefonte to preach, and I have not a cent to pay my 
way." Lewis said to him, " Are you a minister?" Father Hutchison 
answered, " I am, and am going to Bellefonte to preach for Mr. Linn." 
Then Lewis said to Clark, " Give this man back his watch and money." 
To this Clark demurred, but Lewis made him do it, and said, "We 'do 
not rob poor men nor ministers, for they are paid little enough." So 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 6 J 

Father Hutchison got his money and watch back and went on his way 
rejoicing. 

The earhest record of any preaching I can find in what is now Mifflin 
County was in August, 1766, by Rev. Charles Beatty, the home mis- 
sionary spoken of before, in Bratton Township, on the farm of Andrew 
Bratton, now owned by Mrs. Anna Kyle. No church building was there 
then, and Mr. Beatty, in his journal, says it was the first preaching in 
that section. Shortly after this a log church was built on that farm. 
Illustrating the character of the men and the spirit of the times, Hon. 
A. S.Wilson, president judge of Mifflin County for many years, told me 
this anecdote, which he said he could vouch for as being true. There 
was a man in Bratton Township who was an avowed infidel, by the name 
of Leeter, and one James Ross, a strong Presbyterian, who lisped. A 
travelling minister or missionary came along, and notice was sent around 
that there would be preaching in this Bratton Church. Leeter and Ross 
both went to the preaching, and occupied seats side by side on the back 
seat. In the course of the sermon the preacher said something Leeter 
did not approve of, and he said, " That's a lie." Ross flared up and said, 
" Thrue, every word of it." The preacher went on, and again said some- 
thing still more ofTensive to Leeter, who remarked, "That's a lie." Ross 
replied, " You're a liar." With this the two men grappled each other, 
Ross threw Leeter, and the preacher stopped. Ross, who had Leeter 
down and was pounding him, shouted out to the preacher, " Just you go 
on and never mind us, and I will soon settle this fellow," and settle him 
he did. 

In 1783, Rev. Matthew Stevens settled in Bratton Township and 
preached along the river, in Granville, Bratton, and Wayne Townships, 
then called Derry and Wayne. At the October meeting of Presbytery, 

1797, he received a call to Shaver's Creek congregation, and in June, 

1798, he was installed pastor there. 

The Donegal Presbytery of April, 1775, appointed supplies for the 
following places within the bounds of what is now Huntingdon Pres- 
bytery : Kishacoquillas, Holliday's Mill, Shirley, Upper Tuscarora, Lower 
Tuscarora, Penn's Valley, Bald Eagle, Bedford, and Frankstown (near 
Hollidaysburg). Rev. John Linn was appointed as a supply to Bedford, 
etc. At the June meeting of that Presbytery, two months later, Rev. 
Philip V. Fithian was appointed to labor for three months in this region. 

Friday, June 3, 1775, he came through the Narrows into Tuscarora 
Valley. He rode down the valley to the Juniata River. Sunday, June 



68 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

5, he preached at' Cedar Spring. Here he found Rev. Samuel Ken- 
nedy, with whom the congregation were having trouble. From here he 
went to Northumberland, Sunbury, etc. July 31, 1775, he reached Bald 
Eagle's Nest, near Milesburg, Centre County, and the next day held 
service there, at which some Indians were present. On Sunday, August 

6, he preached two sermons in Captain Potter's house (afterwards 
General James Potter) in Penn's Valley, only eight men and not one 
woman in attendance besides the family, as a violent storm was prevailing. 
He was the second preacher that had ever been in the valley. Rev. 
William Linn had been there the two Sabbaths previous. Captain 
Potter told him there were only twenty-eight families in Penn's Valley. 
They had raised forty pounds to pay for supplies. 

In 1776 it is evident there was an organized congregation in Penn's 
Valley, as it made that year an application to Synod for supplies, but 
the valley was abandoned during the winter of 1779-80, and the settlers 
did not return until 1784. 

In April, 1789, Rev. James Martin was called to the churches of 
Penn's Valley, Warrior's Mark, and Half Moon. The Huntingdon 
Presbytery was organized in his church in Penn's Valley the second 
Tuesday of April, 1795. After leaving Penn's Valley, Mr. Fithian came 
into Kishacoquillas Valley, and on Sunday, August 13, 1775, preached in 
a meadow of Judge Brown's, where Reedsville now stands. Mr. Brown 
gave him twenty shillings and nine pence. August 20 he preached 
twice at West Kishacoquillas in Mr. Brotherton's barn, and John 
McDowell gave him twenty shillings. While Mr. Fithian was preach- 
ing here, Rev. Mr. Rhea was preaching in another part of the valley, 
probably along the Juniata River. 

Prior to 1783 a log church was erected in Kishacoquillas Valley, 
about a mile and a half east of Reedsville. The congregation had no 
settled pastor until March 15, 1783, at which time the people made out 
a call, signed by sixty-nine men, for the Rev. James Johnson to become 
their pastor, which call he accepted. This call was written by Master 
Arnold, a school-teacher. It does not appear to have ever been presented 
to Presbytery. The following is a copy of it : 

" Mr. James Johnson, preacher of the Gospel : 

Sir, — We, the subscribers, members of the United Congregation of 
East and West Kishacoquillas, having never in this place had the stated 
administration of the Gospel ordinances, yet highly prizing the same, 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



and having a view to the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and 
the Spiritual Edification of ourselves and families, have set ourselves to 
obtain that blessing among us, and therefore, as we have had the oppor- 
tunity of some of your labors in this place, and are satisfied with your 
soundness, piety, and ministerial ability to break unto us the Bread of 
Life, we do most heartily and sincerely, in the name of the Great Shep- 
herd of the Flock, Jesus Christ, call and invite you to come and take the 
pastoral charge and oversight of us in the Lord. And for your en- 
couragement we do promise, if God shall dispose your heart to embrace 
this call, that we will give a dutifull attention to the Word and Ordi- 
nances of God by you administered ; that we will be subject to your 
admonitions and reproofs, should our falls and miscarriages expose us 
there-to, and will submit to the discipline of the church, exercised by 
you, agreeably to the Word of God ; and also that we will treat persons 
with friendship and respect, and behave in all things toward you as 
becomes christians always should towards their pastor who labors among 
them in word and doctrine. And farther, as we are persuaded that those 
who serve at the Alter should live by the Alter, we do promise, in order 
that you may be, as much as possible, free from worldly incumbrances, 
to provide for your comfortable and honorable maintenance in the man- 
ner set forth in our Subscription Papers accompanying this, our Call, 
during your continuance with us as our Regular Pastor. And in witness 
of our hearty desire to have you settle among us we have herewith set 
our Names this Fifteenth day of March, Anno Domini, 1783 : 



William Brown. 
James Scott. 
John Cooper. 
William Corbet. 
John McManigle. 
Samuel Mitchell. 
Hugh Martin. 
Mathew Taylor. 
Joseph Adams. 
John McNitt. 
William Wilson. 
Robert McNitt. 
Thomas Thompson. 
Joseph McKibbens. 
James Laughlin. 



Robert Allison. 
James McCay. 
William Fleming. 
William McAlevy. 
William Harper. 
James Alexander. 
James Reed. 
James Glass. 
Thomas Brown. 
Alex. McNitt. 
Eligah Crisseell. 
John Fleming. 
Alex. Brown, Jr. 
Edm. Richardson. 
William Miller. 



Robert Barnhill. 
William Young. 
James S. McClure. 
Thomas Arthurs. 
Thomas Alexander. 
Samuel Alexander. 
Samuel Wills. 
William McNitt. 
Philip Clover. 
David Kelly. 
Arthur Buchanan. 
Joseph Brown. 
John Means. 
James Means. 
Matthew Kenny. 



70 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



Robert Gardner. 
Benj. Cresswell. 
William Miller, Jr. 
Thomas Sankey. 
James Burns, 
Abraham Sanford. 
Samuel Milliken. 
Joseph Haslett. 



Benj. Hall. 
Robert McClellan. 
Elisha Cresswell. 
William Mitchell. 
John Cubertson. 
Robert Campbell. 
Samuel Hower. 
Neal McManigle. 



James Reed, Jr. 
Henry Taylor. 
Joseph Wesley. 
William Thompson. 
John McDowell. 
John Kyle. 
David Barn 
John Reed." 



I see that this call to East and West Kishacoquillas Church was 
signed by a number of settlers in and around Lewistown. Arthur Bu- 
chanan, who took out the warrant for the land where Lewistown now 
stands, signed this call. 

From Kishacoquillas Valley Mr. Fithian went to Huntingdon. There 
was no organized church there then, but as early as April, 1790, Rev. 
John Johnson accepted a call for one-half his time to Huntingdon and 
its neighborhood. He had previously — to wit, November 14, 1787 — 
been installed pastor of Hart's Log and Shaver's Creek. The last congre- 
gation Mr. Fithian visited on this tour was at Fort Shirley, near Shir- 
leysburg, Huntingdon County. He preached August 27, 1775, in Mr. 
James Foley's barn. Although the day was stormy, fifty or more people 
were present. 

Judge William M. Hall writes me that there was an organized Pres- 
byterian church at Bedford as early as 1763, and that Rev. Charles Beatty 
preached there in 1758. They had no settled pastor until 1786, when a 
call was given to Rev. David Bard, who accepted and remained their 
pastor for three years. In June, 1790, he accepted a call to Frankstown 
congregation, and remained there until 1799. 

In 1786, Carlisle Presbytery was organized, and the churches under 
its care, within the bounds of the present limits of Huntingdon Presby- 
tery, were Bedford, Derry, and Wayne, on the Juniata, Kishacoquillas, 
and Hart's Log and Shaver's Creek, with pastors ; and without pastors. 
Great Aughwick, Standing Stone (Huntingdon), Frankstown, near Hol- 
lidaysburg, and Penn's Valley. And the ministers, Hugh McGill, James 
Martin, James Johnson, Matthew Stevens, John Johnson, David Bard, 
and John Hoge. As stated before, the early settlers in this Presbytery 
were mainly Scotch and Scotch-Irish Presbyterians and some Huguenots 
and Reformed Dutch from Holland. These men were strong in the 
faith, brought their Bibles, Confessions of Faith, and Catechisms with 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. J I 

them, organized congregations without delay, and sought supplies of 
ministers to preach to them. And the Synod and Presbyteries of Done- 
gal and Carlisle reached out to the frontiers with a true home missionary 
spirit. And as the Apostolic Church sent Paul and Silas and Barnabas 
and Mark out on missionary tours, so did the Synod and Presbyteries 
co-operate with the frontier settlements and sent out to them earnest and 
consecrated preachers. 

These, I take it, were the causes of the establishing of Presbyterianism 
in Huntingdon Presbytery. 



THE BENCH AND BAR DURING THE PAST CENTURY, 
VIEWED FROM A PRESBYTERIAN STAND-POINT. 

JUDGE AUGUSTUS S. LANDIS. 

In coming to make a retrospect of the " Bench and Bar" of this 
Presbytery during the past century, it is discovered that the task is a dif- 
ficult one, because of the meagre supply of information useful for the 
purpose, and the utter absence in many respects of material which the 
historian needs to accomplish his work. When I note the particularity 
with which the events of to-day are recorded, — though much of the 
matter is ephemeral, — I am surprised to discover that there is still some- 
thing which some one's industry or patience has collected, or another's 
conservatism has recorded and preserved. 

From some delving, however, into the past, and arraying the re- 
covered objects of the search side by side in the light, there is furnished 
a new view of your Presbyterial history, and an impression perhaps that 
is the more gratifying to your mind, as you learn that, after the planting 
of your colonies in these valleys, raising the standards of your faith, and 
sowing the seed of gospel teaching, — the gospel as you teach it to-day, — 
that seed has sprung, and down through the century has fructified into 
a harvest that well attests the careful sowing and the healthful seed. 
What effect has it had upon the intelligent and educated mind ? 

The territory now embraced within the boundaries of the Huntingdon 
Presbytery are the counties of Blair, Clearfield, Centre, Bedford, Hunt- 
ingdon, Mifflin, and Juniata. They contain an area of five thousand five 
hundred and fifty-three square miles, and now a population of over three 
hundred thousand. In 1791, when the Commonwealth was for the first 



72 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

time organized into judicial districts, the fourth judicial district embraced 
all of this territor\', together with other territory now without the 
bounds of our Presbytery. The towns and villages were small, and the 
population sparse. 

The judicial establishment was in a primitive condition. Court- 
houses were almost, if not entirely, unknown as such throughout the 
district. Rooms in inns and other buildings were temporarily used for 
the unfrequent sessions of the courts, and both judges and lawyers made 
the circuit of the district over such roads and with such means of trans- 
portation as could be commanded at the time. 

Such traditions, however, as we have show that the dignity of the 
court was maintained, its orders and decrees were respected, its judg- 
ments enforced, and justice impartially administered. Above all, the 
judicial history of the century seems to show that this district contained 
the ablest judges in the Commonwealth, and certainly that more came 
into prominence in the history of the State's judiciary than from any 
other district. No less than five of these judges were advanced to the 
Supreme Bench of the State, and their eminence for learning and in- 
tegrity has won for them an enduring name, and justified their selection 
for the judicial office. All of them worshipped under the Presbyterian 
faith, and their names are therefore properly to be associated with your 
Presbyterial view of the century in the department of the " Bench and 
the Bar." 

When, under the law organizing the State into judicial districts, 
Governor Mifflin, in 1791, appointed Thomas Smith judge of the fourth 
district, he probably selected one of the most learned and upright mem- 
bers of the bar. He was a half-brother of Dr. William Smith, of Phila- 
delphia, who founded the town of Huntingdon, and was, in his day, well 
known through this part of Pennsylvania, his name having been associ- 
ated with the location of large bodies of unseated lands at that time. 
In the Supreme Court he found Shippen and Tilghman and Yeates, — 
still familiar names to the legal profession, — and successfully maintained 
himself as their associate in that court of review. I learn that he was 
one of the early Presbyterians of this neighborhood, and he heads the 
list of a long line of judges and lawyers of that denomination. 

When Judge Smith was appointed to the Supreme Court, in 1794, 
Governor Mifflin appointed James Riddle, a lawyer residing in Bedford, 
as judge of this district. Judge Riddle came to Bedford from Chambers- 
burg, and continued as the presiding judge until 1804. He occupied 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 73 

the bench just one hundred years ago, and it is said he was hkewise a 
Presbyterian. 

He was succeeded by Thomas Cooper, who was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Thomas McKean in 1804. Little is known of him. My informa- 
tion is that he was a Presbyterian. He presided but a little over one 
year, when, under a new judicial apportionment of the State in 1806, he 
was assigned to another district. This reapportionment made the fourth 
judicial district practically the territory of the present Presbytery. 

In 1806 the same governor appointed Jonathan Hodge Walker the 
successor of Judge Cooper. He had been born in Cumberland County, 
and was educated at Dickinson College ; resided in Northumberland, 
afterwards at Bellefonte, and finally in Huntingdon and Bedford. He 
was married to a sister of Thomas Duncan, one of the justices of the 
Supreme Court. He was said to have been a man of high character 
and an able judge. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and 
commanded the confidence of his contemporaries. In 18 18, President 
Monroe appointed him judge of the United States District Court at 
Pittsburg. He was the father of Robert J. Walker, in later years a promi- 
nent statesman, and who was Secretary of the Treasury at Washington, 
and by appointm.ent of President Buchanan governor of Kansas in its 
territorial stage. 

Judge Walker was followed by Judge Charles Huston, who resided 
at Bellefonte, and was appointed by Governor Findlay in 18 18. He was a 
Presbyterian and an eminent judge and author in his day, and was known 
to many now living. He was in 1826 transferred to the Supreme Bench, 
and his name has been since a most familiar one to the legal profession. 

His translation was followed by the appointment of Thomas Burn- 
side, by Governor Shulze, in 1826. He, likewise, resided in Bellefonte, 
and was a Presbyterian, or at least worshipped in that church. He had 
previously been in political life, having been a member and Speaker of 
the State Senate, and a member of Congress. Under the amended con- 
stitution of 1838, Judge Huston's term as Supreme judge expired in 1845, 
when Judge Burnside was elected to succeed him in that tribunal. 

In 1824, Bedford County was detached from this judicial district, and 
afterwards formed part of the sixteenth district. John Tod, a lawyer of 
Bedford, became the judge of that district by appointment of Governor 
Shulze. This man, I am informed, was likewise a Presbyterian, and was 
an exceedingly able and upright judge. He was commissioned a judge 
of the Supreme Court in May, 1827, but died in February, 1830. 



74 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

He was followed as the judge in the Bedford district by Alexander 
Thompson, also a Presbyterian, who presided until 1841. Skipping over 
Judges J. S. Black and F. M. Kimmell, their successors, who were 
Campbellites or Christians, we find the next Presbyterian judge in that 
portion of the Presbytery to have been James Nill, who came from 
Chambersburg, and he was followed by Judge Alexander King, who 
came of a Presbyterian family. 

Judge William Maclay Hall succeeded him for eleven years. He 
was a Presbyterian, and was the son of a well-known and honored man 
in this Presbytery, Rev. William M. Hall. 

The present judge, Jacob H. Longenecker, is also a Presbyterian. 
Thus, out of eight judges who specially presided in Bedford County, 
five if not six were Presbyterians. 

Taking Centre County next, which was erected in 1800, we find that 
after Judge Thomas Burnside, of whom I have already spoken, was ap- 
pointed from this district to the Supreme Bench, he was succeeded by 
Judge James Burnside and Judge Samuel Linn. The latter was a Pres- 
byterian. Judge Orvis succeeded him, and he vi^as followed by Judge 
Adam Hoy, who was a Presbyterian. Judge A.. O. Furst, also a Presby- 
terian, followed Judge Hoy, and completed his term the first Monday of 
the current year. Of these nine judges, therefore, who held the courts 
of this county during the century, three of them were members of, or 
attendants upon, other churches, and six of them were Presbyterians. 
These figures in this respect show the dominating influence of Presby- 
terianism in this portion of the Presbytery. The century closed as it 
began, — its judicial mind worshipping in the Presbyterian faith. 

Clearfield County was formed in 1804, and constituted part of the 
fourth judicial district. After the retirement of Judge Thomas Burnside, 
the judges were J. T. Hale, James Burnside, Samuel Linn, J. B. McEnally, 
Charles A. Mayer, J. H. Orvis, and David L. Krebs. With the exception 
of Judge McEnally and Judge Krebs, all were residents of Centre County, 
and I have already indicated their denominational affiliations. Of the 
non-residents, two if not three were worshippers in the Presbyterian 
Church. Of the residents. Judge Krebs was a member of the Presby- 
byterian Church. Judge Cyrus Gordon, at present on the bench of this 
county, is an active member of the Presbyterian Church. 

Huntingdon County was organized in 1787, and in age is next to 
Bedford County, — that county, organized in 1 771, being the oldest in the 
Presbytery. But Huntingdon seems at the beginning of the century to 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 75 

have been the centre of business, population, and public intercourse. 
The judges and its bar seem to have been most conspicuous, and whilst 
Centre and perhaps Clearfield were eminent for their bars, this county- 
embraces a wider and more remarkable history than any of her sisters, 
and, it is believed, can produce a longer list of admissions to member- 
ship than any other bar in the Presbytery. 

When Judge Thomas Burnside ceased to hold courts in this county, 
he was succeeded by Judge Geo. W. Woodward, of Wilkesbarre, who 
remained here but one year, to be followed by Judge Abraham S. Wilson, 
an appointee of Governor David R. Porter. 

Judge Woodward was an Episcopalian. He became very conspic- 
uous in after-years as a judge of the Supreme Court and a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1873. He had been appointed a justice 
of the Supreme Court of the United States by President Polk in 1845, 
whilst presiding over the courts of this county, but political influence 
prevented his confirmation by the Senate. 

Judge Wilson was a Presbyterian, and a dignified, painstaking, and 
popular judge. He continued in his position till George Taylor, in 1849, 
was appointed as the first judge of the new twenty-fourth judicial district, 
composed of Huntingdon, Blair, and Cambria Counties. He was elected 
under the amended constitution in 185 1, and was re-elected in 1861. He 
served till almost the end of his second term. Judge Taylor, by educa- 
tion, profession, and association, was a Presbyterian. He was not only 
an able lawyer, he was a fearless, conscientious judge. His powers of 
judicial discrimination and conclusion were of the highest character, and 
his opinions were accepted by the profession at large with convincing 
confidence. The writer saw, as a member of his bar, all of his career 
after 1856, and can pleasurably attest the possession of his great powers, 
and deplore his sudden and untimely demise. 

Judge John Dean, by election in 1 871, succeeded Judge Taylor in the 
same district, though not long after, under the new constitution of 1874, 
he withdrew to his own district, the county of Blair, to be followed by 
Judge A. O. Furst in the new district of Centre and Huntingdon. As 
already stated. Judge Furst is a Presbyterian, as was also Judge Dean ; 
and thus it is seen that with but few exceptions this county's judges have 
all been members or worshippers in that faith. 

Mifflin County was organized in 1789, and was also part of the great 
fourth judicial district. After Judge Thomas Burnside ceased to preside 
in its courts as the judge of the fourth district, he was followed by Judge 



^6 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Woodward, an Episcopalian, and he consecutively by Judge A. S. 
Wilson, Judge Samuel S. Woods, — a brother of our brother elder, D. W. 
Woods, — Judge Joseph C. Bucher, and the present Judge Harold M. 
McClure, all of whom were Presbyterians or of Presbyterian stock and 
worship. Thus, after Judge Burnside, there have presided over the courts 
of this county five judges, of whom four were of Presbyterian connection. 

Juniata County was formed from Mifflin in 183 1, and during the 
intervening period has had eight president judges. Of these, all were 
Presbyterians except Judge Frederick Watts, an Episcopalian, who 
resided at Carlisle, and Judge John Reed, resident in the same city, who 
was also possibly an Episcopalian. Judges Calvin Blythe, the first judge, 
and he had been attorney-general in 1828, Samuel Hepburn, James H. 
Graham, Benjamin F. Junkin, Charles A. Barnett, and Jeremiah Lyons, 
the present judge, six in all, were Presbyterians, and resided, some in 
Mifflintown and others in New Bloomfield, Perry County, not within the 
bounds of this Presbytery, though Perry County had originally formed 
part of Huntingdon Presbytery. The Presbyterian preponderance in 
this court is easily conspicuous, and though in that early day remote 
from Centre and Bedford Counties, its churchly proclivities were in 
harmony with theirs, thus showing the wide prevalence of the Presby- 
terian thought and influence. 

Blair County is the youngest of the organized counties in the Pres- 
bytery, it having come into existence as such in February, 1846, — 
formed from Huntingdon and Bedford Counties. Its proximity to Hun- 
tingdon, geographically and commercially, has produced a professional 
intimacy and comity that are contemporaneous with this county's exist- 
ence. The judges, till Judge Furst followed Dean, had been judges in 
Blair County, and its bar for years was common with that of Blair ; and 
even now there is an intercourse and a reciprocity as frequent as they are 
mutual and pleasant. 

The county has had five judges. The great name of Judge J. S. 
Black, Christian, heads the list. He came from Somerset, where he 
lived, to hold the quarterly sessions till 1849, when Judge George Taylor, 
of Huntingdon, was appointed and elected, and was upon the bench till 
his death, in November, 1871. Judge John Dean succeeded him for 
twenty-two years, and he was followed by the writer upon a commission 
from Governor Robert E. Pattison. Judge Martin Bell, a Baptist, is the 
present incumbent. Of these five judges, three were Presbyterians, 
covering a period of forty-five years of judicial administration out of 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. J J 

almost fifty years. One of them, Judge Dean, has since become a justice 
of the Supreme Court of the State, by election in 1892. 

Thus it is seen that on the bench throughout the old fourth district, 
which, as already stated, was territorially about what your Presbytery 
now is, during the century the members of the court were almost wholly 
Presbyterians. The judicial system during that time embraced the 
appointment of lay judges, who sat with the law judges, and assisted in 
the disposition of the public business. The constitution of 1873 has 
abolished this custom in single districts, but it was up to that time a wise 
and useful provision. They were commissioned only to sit in the county 
of residence, and their knowledge of men and local affairs furnished 
valuable aid to the president of the court. 

Whilst these men were selected because of their intelligence, promi- 
nence, and probity, and the confidence which they had won from their 
neighbors, many of them became eminent in other departments of life, 
and they left their impress upon the times in which they lived. 

I cannot here undertake to enumerate any of them, but such history 
and tradition of which I have availed myself show that very many of 
the most prominent and respected of them were members of, or elders 
in, the Presbyterian Church. 

I come now to the bar, and it is to be said it was throughout the 
district no less denominational in its ecclesiastical connections than the 
bench. The members of the court came from the bar, and it can per- 
haps, therefore, reasonably be said ab uno disce onines. 

Beginning at Bedford as before, we find many names of lawyers who 
were men of eminence and strength. Not referring again to those of 
them who became judges, we have the Riddles, James and Samuel, John 
and William Lyon, the Espys, Reynolds, and Blodgett ; Samuel L. Rus- 
sell, long an eminent lawyer, is only recently deceased. He was a man 
of great integrity and industry, and by his genial nature won many 
friends. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1873, 
having been elected from the twenty-first senatorial district with the late 
Mr. Curry and the writer of this paper. I am pleased here to testify to 
his warm friendship and his many excellences. 

Francis Jordan, now a resident of Harrisburg, was from the Bedford 
bar. He was commissioned secretary of the Commonwealth January 
16, 1867, and removed to Harrisburg, where he has since remained in 
the practice of the law. William P. Schell was elected and commissioned 
auditor-general of the State May 8, 1878. 



yS THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Besides these there were Job Mann, who was State treasurer in 1842, 
Samuel H. Tate, and other members, living and dead, whom we cannot 
undertake to name, but who have, by their training and their labors, 
given a high character to a bar which has during the century dwelt in 
the most southern portion of your Presbyterial territory. 

Centre County has abounded in eminent names. It seemed, in the 
early part of the century, to have been the nursery of judges. Walker, 
Huston, Burnside, Hale, Burnside the younger, and Linn all came from 
this county. The bar itself enrolls many eminent names. Mr. W. W. 
Potter, John Blanchard, H. N. McAllister, Andrew G. Curtin, James A. 
Beaver, William P. Wilson, James McManus, James H. Rankin, James 
P. Coburn, are prominent and Presbyterian names. Two of them, Mr. 
Potter and Mr. Blanchard, were members of Congress, and two of them, 
Curtin and Beaver, are known as having been governors of the Com- 
monwealth, and the same community produced the present executive. 
Governor Daniel H. Hastings. Whilst a number of these men have 
been active in the church, it would be highly fitting to particularize the 
name of Mr. McAllister. In every object in which he was interested he 
employed an energy that was exceptional and surprising. With a strong 
mind and apparently rugged health he worked without relaxation, with 
the one intent of success. When a duty was imposed on him he seemed 
to think it rested wholly on him, and then followed the conscientious 
devotion to the task. In professional labor, as a member of this Pres- 
bytery or its committees, it was the same. His devotion to his church 
was a radiant feature in his busy, useful life ; and if, in his day, the church 
has added anything to its strength and its grandeur, Mr. McAllister must 
be remembered as an earnest workman who wrought upon its walls. 

He died in 1873 whilst a member of the Constitutional Convention, 
of which he was an industrious and able member, and was succeeded in 
that body by Hon. Samuel Calvin, of Blair County. 

The bar in Clearfield County has not been so large as in other 
counties, and until connected with the great railroad system of the 
Commonwealth this county's communication with the great highways 
which lay farther south was difficult and infrequent. But here Presby- 
terianism has always had a strong hold. Her people have availed them- 
selves of the great natural resources which surrounded them and have 
converted them into enduring wealth. The prominent men embrace 
among them many of your faith, and the names of some of them are 
widely known within and without the Commonwealth. William Bigler, 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 79 

elected governor in 185 i and United States senator in 1855, went from 
the town of Clearfield; and in the same year, 185 1, his brother was 
elected governor of California. Isaac G. Gordon had been a member 
of this bar, and was an active Presbyterian. He removed to Jefferson 
County, and in October, 1873, was elected and commissioned a justice 
of the Supreme Court of the State. William A. Wallace, of the same 
place, was elected to the State Senate from 1863 to 1875 and from 1883 
to 1886. He was also the speaker of that body in 1871, and he was the 
United States senator from 1875 to i88r from this State. Other names 
of active churchmen might be given as residents of this county, and we 
are told of the earnest support which the pastors have received from 
that class of men to which our attention has been directed. At this 
time I am informed the bar membership is largely Presbyterian. 

Huntingdon has the honor of giving name to your Presbytery. Her 
history and her traditions justify it. In a great measure she was the 
centre around which revolved the affairs of a planted and a steadily 
nascent church. It was the point convergent to which looked the eyes 
of widely-scattered churches in a then immense field. Improved trans- 
portation has obliterated space, and it is still old Huntingdon Presby- 
tery, and it is all here to-day without the struggles of a hundred years ago. 

Outside of the ministry there are many influential and eminent names. 
The long list of judges I have given you. They had been prominent 
lawyers, but their selection did not embrace all. The secular history of 
the county shows a large number of strong and noted men whom we 
cannot name; and though a majority were of this church, other churches 
have reason to be proud of their record. 

In the matter of governors this district has been liberal to the peo- 
ple of the Commonwealth. I have shown that four were taken from 
Centre and Clearfield Counties, and a fifth must be added by naming 
David R. Porter, who was the first governor elected under the constitu- 
tion of 1838. He had long been the prothonotary of this county, but 
was elected governor of the Commonwealth, and continued in that office 
till January, 1845. It is possible that the name of Governor John W. 
Geary should also be added, as he for a number of years resided near the 
boundary line of Blair and Cambria Counties, though on which side I 
am not informed. 

William A. Porter, an earnest Presbyterian, a son of Governor Por- 
ter, became an eminent lawyer, and in January, 1858, was appointed a 
judge of the Supreme Court. 



8o THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Among the oldest deceased lawyers of the county we recall the 
name of Alexander Gwin, who was the district attorney when McCon- 
aughy was convicted of murder. -This was the occasion on which 
George Taylor made the great effort of his earlier life, and which later 
made him judge. 

John Williamson, a genial and witty man, died some years ago an 
octogenarian. He had represented his county in the Legislature. Gen- 
eral A. P. Wilson was a noted and unique character in his day, and 
though he was an Episcopalian, he was said to have been a constant 
supporter of the Presbyterian Church. 

David Blair, John Reed, and A. W. Benedict were lawyers and mem- 
bers of the Legislature, and all were widely known and respected. 
John G. Miles was a familiar character in all the bars of the former 
judicial district. He was a stalwart Presbyterian, as he was the stalwart 
lawyer and the rugged man. His erudite arguments, delivered with de- 
liberate directness and nervous vehemence, made an impression which 
the young lawyer of his day could not forget, and which the older 
adversary always felt. His name occurs often in the reports, and they 
perpetuate the wonder at his unwearied industry. His settlement as 
executor of the great Shoenberger estate was the last work of his life, 
and its extent and intricacies made the task almost superhuman. The 
chiselled boulder that lies upon his grave on yonder hill fitly symbolizes 
the man. 

William P. Orbison, William Dorris, and John Scott are names 
familiar to every Presbyter. They are living, and have always been 
known as interested in and associated with the work of the church. 
Mr. Orbison was at one time a law partner of James M. Bell, well known 
in this and in Blair County ; and Mr. Dorris was the partner of Mr. Miles 
for many years. He had some military experience in commanding a 
regiment of militia, which he marched to Chambersburg to repel the 
advance of a Confederate division from Antietam. Colonel Dorris has 
been for many years counsel for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and has tried 
many important cases. He has long been a member of the session of 
the church in which we are now assembled. 

Mr. Scott was long one of the leaders of this bar, and achieved by 
his own efforts and qualities an envied reputation. His partners while 
in Huntingdon have been Samuel T. Brown and John M. Bailey,* promi- 

* Mr. Bailey has since been elected judge of Huntingdon and Mifflin Counties. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 8 1 

nent and able Presbyterian lawyers, and after leaving this county he be- 
came the solicitor of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was a 
member of the Legislature in i86i, and entered the United States Senate 
in March, 1869. He is also at present a ruling elder in Dr. Dana's church 
in West Philadelphia, where he resides. 

We forbear to speak more of living lawyers, and will name only 
Robert Milton Speer, who came to the bar in i860, and died in January, 
1890. He was elected to Congress in 1870 and 1872 against a very 
popular opponent. He was a brilliant and successful lawyer ; he was 
fluent, earnest, and eloquent, and before a court or a jury possessed a 
magnetism and a power that often captured if they did not convince. 
His all too early removal was sincerely mourned by many friends. His 
relations with the writer were so friendly and warm that I may be in- 
dulged in this passing tribute. 

He was Presbyterian in his faith, as are the surviving members of his 
family, his son, Robert Speer, being already well known in the church, 
and his son William is known as a lawyer and an editor of a daily news- 
paper at Albany, New York. 

Mifflin County has furnished some strong names, who were not only 
men of culture, but also were upright in their lives, and worshipped and 
labored in your church. Among them I name John Banks, who came 
to the bar in 1819, and who afterwards became the Common Pleas judge 
in Berks County, and was a Whig candidate for governor of the Com- 
monwealth. Ephraim Banks was for many years the superintendent of 
the Sabbath-school, and an elder for forty years of the church at Lewis- 
town. He became the auditor-general of the State in May, 185 1. In 
the latter part of his life he was an associate judge of his county. W. 
M. Hall came to this bar in 1823. He had studied divinity, was said to 
be a man of cultured taste, and died a member of the bar. General T. 
F. McCoy, a soldier and an elder, E. L. Benedict, Joseph W. Parker, 
and David Candor, all deceased, were Presbyterian names. D. W. 
Woods, George W. Elder, T. M. Utley, and Andrew Reed are conspicu- 
ous among living members of this bar. The first has long been an hon- 
ored name in your church, and he seals it with our approval to-day by 
his learnedly enlightening us as to " The Sources of Presbyterianism in 
your Presbytery." We might justly name others, but we pass on. 

Juniata County has had, for a small county, quite a large bar, and it 
would seem that a large majority of them were Presbyterians, though 
not always professed or communing members of the church. 



82 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Hon. James P. Sterrett was a member of this bar. He afterwards 
removed to Pittsburg, became a judge there, and was in 1878 elected a 
justice, and later commissioned the chief justice of the Supreme Court 
of the Commonwealth. 

Edmund S. Doty was long the leader of the bar. Andrew Parker 
had been, and Ezra D. Parker, his son, received the mantle from his 
father. Mr. Doty was for many years an elder, and his was a familiar 
face at your sessions. His sons were nearly all lawyers, and Lucien W. 
Doty is at present the president judge in Westmoreland County. 

Colonel A. K. McClure, of Philadelphia, came out of this strong 
Presbyterian bar. He, however, worships with our Methodist brethren, 
but I hope with good opinion of the Calvinistic friends he left behind. 

George Jacobs, of this bar, died a few years ago, a very promising 
lawyer. H. H. North, James and John H. Mathers, L. C. Adams, W. S. 
Wilson, Jacob A. Christy, Alfred J. Patterson, C. W. Kelso, J. H. Neely, 
and many others whom I might name, are on the lawyers roll of this 
county, and exhibit, as did the judges I have before named, the proneness 
of the legal mind to accept the ciilUis of your church. 

In Blair County the first court was held on the 27th of July, 1846, by 
Judge Black. A large number of attorneys was sworn in on that day, 
embracing gentlemen from all the adjoining counties. Some of these 
names were prominent as resident lawyers for many ensuing years. 
Samuel Calvin, Thaddeus Banks, Samuel S. Blair, R. A. McMurtrie, and 
John Cresswell were long conspicuous as members of this bar. Mr. 
Banks was the son of Auditor-General Ephraim Banks, of Mifflin County, 
and was a member of the Legislature in 1862, with Senator John Scott 
and Judge Cyrus L. Pershing, now of Pottsville. Mr. Calvin was a 
member of the Thirty-first Congress, and was long known as the " father 
of the bar." Mr. Blair was an elder, and a member of the Thirty-sixth 
and Thirty-seventh Congresses. Colonel McMurtrie was a member of the 
Legislature in 1864. Louis W. Hall, brother of Judge Hall, of Bedford, 
came here in 1854. In i860 and 1865 he was elected a member of the 
State Senate, and was its speaker during his last term. He has since 
removed to Harrisburg. Benjamin L. Hewit was also for many years a 
lawyer of prominence. He was a member of the State Legislature in 
1872, 1879, 1 88 1, and finally in 1893. Thomas McCamant was a mem- 
ber of this bar for a number of years, but he became auditor-general 
of the State, and has since resided in Harrisburg. These gentlemen, 
except Mr. Hall and Mr. McCamant, are all dead. They were members 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 83 

of or worshipped in this church, and stood high in the public estimation 
and confidence. I might name others of perhaps less prominence, but it 
will suffice to conclude here the personal reference to the men who have 
been associated with and have contributed to the local histories of this 
church, and I draw this sketch to a close. 

It is possible I have erred in some respects in this review because of 
inadequate means of information. But it has been interesting to scan 
the great field which your fathers, a hundred years ago, took under their 
Presbyterial care. They set up here the banner of Presbyterianism, and 
took possession in the name of Christ and the church. Their methods 
were orderly and wise. They were mostly of Scotch-Irish birth, and 
possessed the rugged, indomitable spirit of that people. They had the 
pioneer traits alike to found a state or found a church. But the church 
dominated their minds. They provided for the present, they planned for 
the future. In view of their surroundings, they knew it was to be a 
battle. Many faithful and honored ministers thenceforth marched, and 
toiled, and fell under the shadow of that banner, and their names are 
growing ancient as the century waxes to its close. What they preached 
sprang and grew, and bore, till now we know how well their works have 
followed them. 

Others have told you of the spiritual triumphs of the past, and the 
solid growth of the church thoughout all your borders. I have 
endeavored to call your attention to another aspect of your work, and 
whilst I will not seek to arrogate to my church the possession of an 
influence and a power to which she is not entitled, I may fairly point to 
the facts and results afforded by our history to show that she may justly 
claim an exalted station in the great work of teaching the public mind 
to perform well the duties not only of the religious but the civic life. 
With the development of both comes our highest and best civilization. 
The first will enrich and preserve the other, but the latter must perish 
without the nurturing sustenance of the first. 

In this great work of leading a people through the difficulties and 
vicissitudes which have attended the century's labors you will pause 
only to contemplate your victories, and reform your methods where you 
have erred. With the new means, and men, and wealth now in your 
hands ; with a country teeming with seats of learning ; with three hundred 
thousand people within your domain to be influenced by your acts ; with 
an enthusiasm that has not abated with the years ; with a fervor and a 
zeal that are born of a quickened conscience ; and, above all, with that 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



soulful and impelling sense of duty and accountability to the immaculate 
name you serve, you will, with Him as your captain, go on in this new 
century, still conquering and to conquer. 



PRAYER. 

REV. R. M. WALLACE, D.D. 

O Lord, our God, we bless and adore thee for what thou art in thy- 
self, — " glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, a God doing wonders." 
We bless and adore thee for what thou hast revealed thyself to be in thy 
word, — the God of the Covenant, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, the source of all goodness, mercy, and blessing. And we bless 
and adore thee for what thou hast shown thyself to be in thy works of 
providence and grace. 

Thou hast unfolded the plan of redemption, and put it into successful 
operation by the mission, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven 
of thy Son. Thou hast established thy church in the world and made 
it the pillar and ground of the truth, and ordained that the means of 
grace should be dispensed from its altars. " And thou gavest, some 
apostles ; and some, prophets ; and some, evangelists ; and some, pastors 
and teachers ; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, 
for the edifying of the body of Christ : till we all come in the unity of the 
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto 
the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." And thou didst 
bring a vine out of Egypt and didst plant it in this land, and it took root 
and grew, and the land was covered with the shadow of it. And away 
back in the distant past — one hundred years ago — thou didst inspire the 
hearts of our forefathers with faith and love and zeal for thy glory, and 
didst prompt them to organize this Presbytery of Huntingdon, beneath 
whose shadow we are now assembled. We bless thee for its existence, 
for its history and triumphs, for its reputation for orthodoxy, for the good 
it has been the means of accomplishing, and for the bright and auspicious 
outlook before. And, now that we are come to celebrate its one hun- 
dredth anniversary, do thou be graciously present with us and bless thy 
servants here assembled : inspire them more and more with zeal for the 
Master ; make them more and more efficient in winning- souls for 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 85 

Christ. And may they always be filled with and guided by the influences 
of the Holy Spirit. Bless the eldership, and make them efficient sup- 
porters and promoters of thy cause. Bless the young, and may they 
give their young hearts in early life to Christ, remembering that he has 
said, " I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find 
me." And bless all the churches represented in this Presbytery. Bless 
the pastor of this church and all his people, and may they be favored 
again and again with such seasons of the right hand of the Most High 
as it was once our privilege to witness among them. O Lord, our 
prayer is before thee. Hear and answer us, for thy name's sake. ' For- 
give all our imperfections and unworthiness. And gather us all, at last, 
into the general assembly and church of the first-born. And unto 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost shall be all the praise and glory, world 
without end. Amen. 



THE DEBT AND DUTY OF PRESBYTERIANS. 

REV. J. P. E. KUMLER, D.D., 
Moderator Synod of Pennsylvania. 

On such occasions we naturally look backward as well as forward. 
We recognize our debt to the past and our duty to the future. Our 
fathers have labored and we have entered into their labors. We are 
heirs of a vast and invaluable inheritance which brings with it the 
solemn obligation to transmit it unimpaired to the generations following. 
All the arts, inventions, and discoveries that attend our progressive civ- 
ilization have come to us from the labors of the past. What agony of 
mind, anxiety of heart, and heroic endeavor they have cost ! The for- 
ward steps are not made by those who glance only at the surface of 
things, or by those who yield either to inclination or popular opinion. 
All true progress is up-hill. 

" Great truths are dearly bought. 

Such as men give and take from day to day 
Come in the common walk of every life, 

Blown by the careless wind across our way. 
Great truths are greatly won. Not found by chance 

Nor wafted on the breath of summer dream, 
But grappled in the great struggle of the soul, 

Hard buffeting with adverse winds and stream," 



86 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The pioneers of our church in this Presbytery a century ago began 
the work in a scene of loneliness and insufficiency and uncertainty, facing 
the strongest prejudices and most persistent opposition. It was a time 
of great poverty, immorality, and infidelity. Their only hope was in 
God. 

The great part of the work of the best spirits of any age must be 
to oppose the tendency of their times. This was pre-eminently so with 
the founders of our church in this region. Only noble, self-sacri- 
ficing minds, armed with a sublime courage, could stand and advance 
against the existing tendency and powers of evil that confronted them 
on every side. When we remember that every advance makes a new 
advance easier, that every correction of social wrong renders right living 
less difficult, and that every widening of the influence of religion facili- 
tates its universal triumph, what a vantage-ground do we occupy ! Yet 
with all our increased and improved agencies we complain of the diffi- 
culties in our way. What, then, must have been the courage, the grit, 
and the grace of our predecessors a century ago. As we look around 
us to-day with wondering admiration at what has been achieved, what 
may we not expect, in the near future, if with our greater facilities, we 
are as faithful in our day as they were in theirs. We have in trust 
the same divine treasure of truth and order that they had. And the 
elements which differentiate our Presbyterianism from other Christian 
denominations have as important a mission to-day as ever. I need not 
dwell at length on what these distinguishing features are. It goes with- 
out saying that we hold in common with other evangelical churches all 
the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. But Presbyterianism is also 
distinguished both by its polity and its faith, otherwise there would be 
no justification of our separate existence. There are two principles 
found in the word of God which determine our Presbyterian polity. 
The first is the universal priesthood of believers as opposed to all sacer- 
dotal theories. The one great offering on Calvary put an end to the offi- 
cial priesthood. The second principle is that the Lord Jesus Christ is the 
sole head of the church, and he has made provision for its government 
by elders, chosen by the people from among the people and ordained to 
rule ; that the several congregations of believers taken collectively con- 
stitute the church ; that the larger part should govern the smaller, and 
consequently that appeals may be carried from the smaller to the larger 
bodies, till finally decided by the whole church as voiced by its repre- 
sentatives in its highest judicatory. These two principles distinguish 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 87 

Presbyterianism from prelacy on the one side and independency on the 
other, and then follows the parity of the clergy, government by elders, 
and the unity of the church. We claim that we have the warrant for 
these characteristics in the apostolic church. Its divinely delegated 
power to the people, exercised by them through their own chosen repre- 
sentatives, with the checks of a written constitution and a system of 
appellate courts, bring it into thorough sympathy with a people whose 
civil government of the people by the people and for the people is just 
what Presbyterianism has for centuries illustrated, and which must com- 
mend itself to all as a system in which the largest measure of liberty 
is combined with the most orderly administration of law. While we 
hold that our polity is most agreeable to Scripture, we do not asperse 
other branches of the evangelical church as sects, nor question the va- 
lidity of their ministry or church ordinances. We hold that irregularity 
does not involve invalidity, so that without any sacrifice of principle 
we open our pulpits to all who preach the gospel of Christ, and our 
communion-table to all who own allegiance to our common Lord and 
Master. 

We are also as distinguished for our faith as our polity. Like our 
Lord and Head, we were born and came into the world to bear witness to 
the truth. The truth to which we bear witness is the revelation which 
God has made in the Bible, and nothing but the Bible as the supreme 
judge of religious controversies. As witness-bearers we claim it to be 
our duty to declare the sense and meaning of the Bible. This is ex- 
pressed in our Confession of Faith. The Bible is the word of God to 
man ; the Confession is the answer of man to God, and is of course sub- 
ordinate to his word. The Confession expresses what we hold to be the 
sense and meaning of the word. It is our public rule of doctrine derived 
from the Bible, hence we are eminently a doctrinal church. The charac- 
teristics of our doctrinal system is that we place the emphasis upon God, 
of whom, to whom, and through whom are all things, to whom be glory 
forever. We believe in divine sovereignty as well as human freedom. 
While our faith exalts God it humbles man. It recognizes our utter 
dependence upon divine mercy, that while God condemns no man, except 
for sin, he saves no man except out of mercy. We do not separate 
grace from the means of grace, nor God's free grace from man's free 
will. We hold that God is love, that love is self-sacrifice for others. 
Love being the actuating principle of his nature. To teach that God 
exists for his own glory is to teach, not that he is infinitely selfish. 



88 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

but that he is infinitely benevolent. For this faith, commonly called 
Calvinistic, because John Calvin was one of its most eminent defenders, 
men have faced sword and fagot. Virtue has gone out of it in every 
age. 

Ranke says, " We may consider John Calvin as the founder of the 
free States of North America." Bancroft says, " He that will not honor 
the memory and respect the influence of Calvin knows little of the origin 
of American liberty." Froude says, " It has been able to inspire the 
bravest efforts ever made by man to break the yoke of unjust authority," 
I submit if the church which the fathers have fostered and transmitted to 
us, and that holds to this matchless system of order and faith, and that 
continues unscathed after fourteen centuries of criticism, has not still a 
mission, not only to the unsaved world, but also to the other churches. 
In this age when dogmas and doctrines are widely discounted ; when the 
evolutionary hypothesis of natural development is strongly asserting 
that the world has outgrown the Bible; when the divine element in the 
giving of the Bible is so minified, and the human element is so magnified, 
as to decidedly weaken its authority ; when we see on the one side the 
rapid strides of Romanism which exalts church authority to a level with 
the Bible, and on the other side the spread of rationalism which exalts 
the human understanding and consciousness even above the revealed 
word ; when we see the growth of socialism, communism, and anarchism, 
and the gigantic monetary corporations with their temptations to tyranny 
and corruption ; when we see spiritual religion sinking into mere moral- 
ity, and all the religions of the world to a common level ; in view of these 
things was there ever a time that so imperatively demanded for the safety 
of our institutions, civil and religious, such men as Froude declares to 
be the offspring of Calvinism ? — " Men of inflexible front to illusion and 
mendacity, preferring to be ground to powder like flint rather than bend 
before violence or melt under enervating temptation." The very tenacity 
with which Presbyterians hold to their convictions of truth exposes them 
to a danger against which they should guard. Our past history leaves 
us in no doubt of the danger. It is " that like hickory we split easily." 
A split is not the best thing, though it may be at times the best thing 
we are equal to, just as a child in learning to walk perfectly may walk 
awkwardly, staggering and falling often, but it is the best thing the child 
is equal to. 

The time has come when we should put away childish things and 
strive to be equal to something better than repeating our divisions. If 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. «9 

we would impinge with the greatest possible force upon the world we 
should maintain our solidarity as long as consistent with fidelity to the 
cardinal principles of the Calvinistic system as embodied in our stand- 
ards. " Broken lights distort the true image." Extreme parties are not 
apt to be the best exponents and truest promoters of our system. Lib- 
erals are too apt to let go the old, conservatives too apt to reject the new, 
and both too apt to be intolerant of each other. Whereas, both need 
each other to serve as mutual checks and secure a just balance between 
extremes, and to preserve the augmented strength of a consolidated 
body. 

The rumbling sounds of the times calls for watchfulness, courage, and 
fidelity ; they also call for the exercise of patience and charity. Among 
the advantages which we have inherited, and which so augments our re- 
sponsibility to the future, is the grand equipment which under God the 
fathers have provided and placed in our hands. They began their work 
without a single one of the boards that now constitute our complete or- 
ganism for gospelizing the world. This, taken in connection with our 
vast membership and wealth, so competent to set our machinery in 
operation, and next the hand of God in history and providence going 
before to open the way to the fields of operation, a way that as clearly 
reveals the hand of God in preparing it as that hand was in preparing 
the way for the early Christians in the dispersion of believers, the su- 
premacy of the Roman power and the Greek tongue, who by steam, by 
electricity, by wars, revolutions, and commerce, has brought the ends of 
the earth into close neighborhood, and predisposed them to hear the 
gospel message which we are commanded to deliver, — in view of all this, 
what possibilities and dazzling hopes are ours ! With our tried ecclesi- 
astical polity and faith, with our view of the visible church of God, its 
unity, its cathoHcity, and its spirituality, what may not the Presbyterian 
Church achieve for the kingdom of our Lord in the century to come 
if she is only baptized with the Holy Spirit as was the apostolic 
church ! 

True gratitude for the past inspires consecration to the future. " Freely 
ye have received, freely give." 

True sympathy for the wise and good who have served and enriched 
us by their labors should impel us to pay over to the future in a grateful 
spirit and with interest what we have received. Let us on this centen- 
nial occasion seize as well as measure our opportunities. The propa- 
gation of the truth rather than the sharpening of its definition is the 



90 ■ THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

demand of the hour. We have been whetting our swords and trying 
their temper. Let us go forth and use them in winning victories for 
our King. 

" We are living, we are dwelling 
In a grand and awful time, 
In an age on ages telling 
To be living is sublime." 



THE OUTLOOK. 

GENERAL JAMES A. BEAVER, LL.D. 

Fellow-Presbyterians, — We have taken a long and loving look 
backward to-day. With the preacher, we have walked about Zion and 
gone round about her and told the towers thereof and marked well her 
bulwarks and considered her palaces, and the result of it has been good. 
With the singers, — 

" We've marked her goodly battlements, 
And her foundations strong, 
And joined within the gladsome notes 
Of her triumphant song." 

This is well, — well for a day and well done as a record for the next 
generation. Reminiscence serves a good purpose if it incites to the 
discharge of present duty or points the way for future conduct. 

In the life of our Master the transfiguration scene was glorious and 
doubtless in a way useful, but it lasted at the most but a few hours. The 
great confession of the great Apostle was doubtless confirmed and his 
faith more firmly anchored as he beheld the glory which was to be, as 
foreshadowed by the glory which was. The Master himself was doubt- 
less strengthened as he talked with Moses and Elijah of what he should 
accomplish at Jerusalem; but there was a demoniac boy at the foot of 
the hill whom the disciples were unable to heal, waiting for his healing 
touch, and the Master came down from the Mount to take up the every- 
day duties of healing and helping which were ready to hand. We would 
not like to miss the transfiguration scene from the story of our Lord's 
life. It gives us a glimpse of the glory which is to be revealed hereafter. 
We rejoice in its spiritual uplift, and, with Peter, are ready to say, " It is 
good for us to be here ;" but, after all, it was an aside, a sort of a soul's 
half-holiday, necessary, perhaps, for spiritual recuperation and for more 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 9 1 

perfect preparation for what was to come. Its glory, however, was but 
a search-light thrown forward upon the path of duty, and the high con- 
verse of the great characters gathered there was concerning what shoidd 
be accomplished in the work of the world's redemption. 

And so, as we gather here to-day to hold sweet converse as to what 
the fathers have accomplished in the past, and if, perchance, their glorified 
spirits gather unseen about us and join in the recall of high and holy 
achievement, let the retrospect be an incentive to emulate their sacrifice 
and service. Satisfying as have been all the joyous exercises of this day, 
surely they serve their best purpose when they call us to present duty, 
and their trumpet tones are not a recall from the conflict, but sound 
rather the advance of the church along every line of activity and service. 
As we stand upon this high summit of privilege and gather the inspira- 
tion which comes to us from the past, we say and can say truly, " It is 
good for us to be here ;" but we cannot stay here. The church cannot 
rest in congratulation. She must gird herself for conflict. The recall of 
to-day is, therefore, the call to present duty, and the light which we 
gather from the past is only useful as we cast it ahead upon the pathway 
of the future. Fathers and brethren, heed the call. Withdraw your 
earnest gaze from the past and look well to the front. Those who cele- 
brate the next Centennial will scarcely note what you say here. They 
will be concerned about what you do in carrying forward the work com- 
mitted to your keeping. 

Our Committee of Arrangements bids me speak of " The Outlook." 
What is it? One of the impressive lessons of this day, pointing clearly 
to future obligation on the part of the Presbyterian Church, comes from 
the striking contrast between the place where the Presbytery of Hunting- 
don was organized on the second Tuesday of April, 1795, and that in 
which its Centennial is held on the second Tuesday of April, 1895. The 
Presbytery was organized in a country church. The phrase, " the country 
church," had not then been coined. They were the important churches 
of our denomination. They were the wealthy churches. Their mem- 
bers were the influential men of the community. Agriculture was the 
principal and most dignified pursuit of our people. The land-owners 
were the men of wealth and influence, and they lived for the most 
part upon their own land. The inhabitants of our villages were the 
trades-people and mechanics, whose barter and handicraft drew from the 
more thrifty farming population the trade upon which they relied for a 
livelihood. The last century has witnessed a great change in social and 



92 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

economic conditions among our people. The drift of population has 
followed trade. The development of manufacturing enterprises, furnish- 
ing employment to large bodies of men, has served to concentrate 
population to a still greater extent. The concentration of manufactures, 
trade, and commerce in the busy centres, which constitute one of the 
marked features of present-day civilization, has led to the relative depop- 
ulation of our rural districts. As a consequence, the churches of our 
larger towns have grown at the expense of the rural churches. The 
drift of population westward has largely contributed to the further deple- 
tion of the ranks of the membership of our country churches, and the 
inevitable result is one of the serious problems which confronts the 
Presbyterian Church of to-day, — What shall be done for the country 
church ? The church of one hundred years ago, the church in which 
this Presbytery was organized, — not the identical building, but a fine 
brick structure which took its place, — is practically deserted. Much of 
its membership has drifted to a near-by town and erected a new church 
building. The field covered by these churches, and at least one other 
locality which could be united with them, is without a pastor, and likely 
to remain so unless Presbytery exercise its prerogative and determine 
what can and should be done to re-establish our church in this field. I 
use this as an illustration to emphasize the problem which confronts the 
Presbytery of Huntingdon to-day, — How shall we resuscitate the country 
churches of the Presbytery? I have not the time, nor is this the place, 
to enlarge upon the magnitude of this question. Every intelligent 
member of the Presbytery is impressed with its importance. It is not 
the question of allowing a church for which there is no demand to die 
out. It is not a question of denominational pride. It is a question of 
obedience to the command of the Master, " Go ye into all the world, and 
preach the gospel to every creature." There is just as much demand 
for the preaching of the gospel in our rural districts to-day as there was 
when -these churches were organized. There is greater demand for the 
exercise of the highest pulpit and pastoral talents than there ever was. 
I hesitate to give advice to men who are wiser and older than I am, but 
you have bidden me speak of "The Outlook," and I am constrained to 
say that, so far as this Presbytery is concerned, the outlook for the 
numerous churches, strong, healthy, vigorous, helpful in the past, is most 
discouraging, unless the policy of the Presbytery in regard to them is 
reversed, and that quickly and radically. Under our form of government 
there is no bishop, no presiding elder, no superintendent, no one man 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 93 

who has the view of all the churches continually before him, and who is 
scheming and planning and laboring, and whose sole duty it is to scheme 
and plan and labor, for their welfare. The Presbytery is legislative, 
judicial, and executive. Its province is to plan and to execute. It is 
expected that this will be done at meetings of Presbytery practically 
twice each year, continuing scarcely more than two days each, and that 
the committees having the interests of these churches of which I speak 
in charge will steal sufficient time from the regular meetings of the 
Presbytery to lay wise plans and provide for the execution of them 
throughout seven counties of this great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 
The mere statement of this mode of oversight demonstrates its futility, 
and the melancholy result is " Ichabod" written over a number of our 
once prosperous and influential churches. President Harrison once said 
to a gentleman who was complaining about some alleged defect in his 
administration, " Yes, that is very well ; it is very easy to find fault ; now 
give us the remedy." That is hardly my province. If the criticism is 
correct, or if there be a grain of truth in the condition which to my 
mind very clearly confronts us, the remedy can be applied only through 
the exercise of the mature wisdom and prayerful consideration of the 
entire Presbytery. A suggestion or two may not be out of place : 

First. We must come back to the fundamental idea of Presbyterial 
government. The Presbytery must be the governing factor within its 
legitimate and constitutional province. Presbyterial control must be 
exercised over all the churches of the Presbytery, and must mean Control 
with a capital C. 

Second. Instead of individual supplies, consisting of different persons 
for each succeeding Sabbath's service, for these weak churches, would it 
not be well, through the agency of special committees, to visit the sev- 
eral fields within the Presbytery, spend the time necessary to ascertain 
the wants and the capacity of the field, endeavor to secure, if not a 
pastor, a regular stated supply, and 

Third. Adopt the plan which has been found to work so satisfactorily 
in the Southern branch of our church, — secure the services of the best 
evangelical preacher to be had and let him labor, in connection with 
some one upon the ground if necessary, for several months at a time 
until the field is thoroughly cultivated and its capabilities fully demon- 
strated ? If it be found, after careful consideration and prayerful effort, 
that there is no constituency from which a Presbyterian church can be 
built up, then, finally, let the field be abandoned to other churches which 



94 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

can more satisfactorily and more fully meet the needs of the people of 
the respective communities in which these weak and struggling churches 
are situated. Do you know such a church ? The problem is a large 
one. It needs thorough discussion and radical treatment. I mention it 
as one of the pressing needs as we turn from the consideration of the 
century past and of the churches which have done the great work of 
this Presbytery in the past century, and face the needs of the present 
generation and the century which is opening before us. 

It was not my intention, in the short time allotted me, to discuss 
questions of Presbyterial concern, but rather to emphasize certain char- 
acteristics of the individual Presbyterian which seem to me to be de- 
manded by the present condition of the church and which, if possessed 
by the individual Christian, will lead the church in the aggregate to a 
high plane of prosperity and usefulness. The question to which I have 
alluded was forced upon me by the conditions which confront us, and 
was not in my thought when I began considering the topic to which our 
Committee of Arrangements assigned me. 

The first qualification of every Presbyterian, of course, is that he 
should be an earnest Christian ; that, having sworn allegiance to the 
Captain of his salvation, he must follow his banner with unswerving 
devotion, and that the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit are essential 
to his Christian life. This is true of all Christians of every denomina- 
tion. Given these absolutely essential elements of Christian life, it 
seems to me that in our church we wish at the present time to emphasize 
the loyalty which is due to the church of our choice. It is essential to 
the welfare of every voluntary organization, whether of divine or human 
origin, that every member shall be bound by and respond obediently to 
every requirement of the law which governs it. It is not incumbent 
upon any person to join the Presbyterian Church rather than any other 
church unless its doctrinal standards and form of government best suit 
the mental characteristics and social peculiarities of the individual. 
When, however, these standards and this form of government appeal to 
the individual with such force as to require him to yield his assent to 
their truthfulness and to come within the scope of their operation, then 
common honesty requires complete and unswerving loyalty to their 
demands. This, of course, presupposes a knowledge on the part of those 
who come within the sphere of this voluntary organization of its doc- 
trines, of its laws, and of its form of government. What is true of the 
individual must also be true of any aggregation of individuals forming 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 95 

a corporate existence, whether it be the individual church or Presbytery 
or Synod, or whether it be any institution formed for and devoted to the 
advancement of the interests of the church, educational or otherwise. 
The same laws which govern the individual members of the church, the 
binding obligation of which they are bound to recognize, must govern 
and be recognized by every institution which the church controls, and 
especially those which assume to teach and have been intrusted with 
the duty of teaching those who are called to the duty of instructing the 
people in what constitutes Presbyterianism. This, of course, leads me 
into the very thick of one of the questions confronting the church at the 
present time. I do not attempt to discuss it. In my humble judgment 
it needs no discussion. The church, having seen one of the seminaries 
which for twenty-five years has held itself out to the world, under the 
compact of 1870, as being in sympathy with the doctrines and the form 
of government of the Presbyterian Church, as being under the control 
and direction of the church, and, by reason of such professed sympathy 
and allegiance, secured large contributions to its endowment funds from 
loyal Presbyterians, slip from its grasp through a legal technicality, is not 
likely to permit any further experiments in this line. The institution, 
therefore, that hesitates in declaring its loyal allegiance to the church 
by subscribing to the reasonable requirements of the General Assembly 
as formulated by the committee appointed at its last meeting, and that 
fails to secure by proper charter regulations the reasonable security 
which the church, through the Assembly, demands, had better once for 
all declare itself independent, and thereby certify to the world that it is 
no longer in sympathy with the church which created it, which supports 
it, and without which it cannot continue for a day its useful existence. 

If the church of the future is to reach the results at which it aims 
and is to meet the requirements of the present generation, there must 
be a new and enlarged sense of obligation on the part of the individual 
members of it in the use of their means for the support of the gospel at 
home and the spread of its glad tidings throughout all the earth. The 
church machinery of the Presbyterian body is, I believe, the wisest in 
plan and the most efficient in execution of any similar organization in 
this or any other land. This we are bound to admit as loyal Presby- 
terians. Every one of its active agencies for carrying on the Lord's 
work in the world has been the outgrowth of pressing need, as it has 
manifested itself to the highest legislative body of the church. Not one 
of our agencies for carrying on the manifold operations of the church 



9D .. THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

has been authorized or organized without the most careful scrutiny on 
the part of the General Assembly. When so authorized and organized, 
it becomes the duty of every individual member to show his loyalty to 
the church at large by his contributions to those several agencies, care- 
fully planned and wisely managed for the extension of the Redeemer's 
kingdom in the world. How far is this obligation met by the churches 
composed of these individual members in this Presbytery ? Let the 
blanks in the columns devoted to the reports of the beneficent offerings 
in our churches in the minutes of our General Assembly answer. It is 
no sufficient answer to this to say that the times are hard and that the 
churches are poor and that it is difficult for them to maintain the stated 
means of grace at home. Of course it is difficult, and will become in- 
creasingly difficult just in proportion as the churches which regularly 
maintain these blanks continue to neglect a manifest duty. The pastor 
or stated supply who fails to bring to the attention of the congregation 
which he serves the claims and the demands of the several beneficent 
agencies of the church will inevitably pay for his neglect of duty in 
diminished support and in increasing difficulty in securing from the 
congregation what is necessary for his own personal well-being. All 
experience proves that the churches which gladly and loyally support 
the work of the church, through the various agencies which it has es- 
tablished for practical obedience to our Lord's command to " Go into all 
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," are those which 
most easily, most generously, and most enthusiastically discharge their 
obligations at home, and that the pastor who most faithfully and 
lovingly preaches and practises the duty of giving to Christ's cause 
for Christ's sake is the one who has the least difficulty in securing from 
his people adequate and loyal support. Let me, therefore, beg of you, 
my brethren of the ministry, who do not often have the opportunity of 
listening to an exhortation from the pew, as you value your own com- 
fort, as you value the spiritual well-being of the members of your 
churches, as you value the cause which the great head of the church 
has so deeply at heart, not to hesitate to declare the whole counsel of 
God in regard to this neglected Christian grace. Satan will doubtless 
squirm. He always does when he is hurt, but you may be assured that, 
if criticism comes because of such preaching, it will come from those 
who are desirous of evading duty and who will be gladly content to rest 
satisfied in a one-sided development of Christian character. You know 
better than I that in this age of mammon worship the issue must be 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 97 

clearly and fearlessly presented, — God or mammon. You can never 
preach and no Christian man can ever follow God and mammon. The 
rich young ruler, lovable in character, perfect in outward obedience to 
the law, went away sorrowful because he could not choose. The next 
day the little Jewish tax-collector, who climbed into the sycamore-tree to 
see the Saviour pass, came down from that tree and took the Saviour to 
his home and to his heart, because he had made up his mind to give 
the half of his goods to the poor. He was saved because he made 
the choice between God and mammon with all that it involved. It is 
entirely safe to say that, if the individual members of the Presbyterian 
Church in the United States of America were to follow the example of 
the despised publican, the next century would witness not only an entire 
revolution in the social conditions under which we live, but the evan- 
gelization of the world. 

Fathers and brethren, you closed the first century of the existence 
of the Presbytery of Huntingdon by securing from the civil courts a 
charter of incorporation which secures what you have never heretofore 
enjoyed, — a legal entity. You now have a standing in our courts of 
law and equity. You can sue and be sued. You can plead and be 
impleaded. You can hold property and convey it in accordance with 
the provisions of law. This legal existence gives you power, but it is 
not your strength. Our individual church organizations — many of 
them — own fine buildings, have valuable property, and control the 
equipment and machinery for effective service. All these, important 
and necessary in a sense, do not constitute the strength of the church. 
The agencies of the church have been wisely planned and are efficiently 
administered. Under their guidance we are erecting great buildings in 
our great cities. Their invested funds are increasing year by year and 
are bringing enlarged income for the work of the church. All these 
things are valuable and in a sense necessary, but they do not constitute 
our strength. We have numerous institutions richly endowed for the 
education of our youth and the training of our ministry. We regard 
these institutions as essential to the highest development of the youth 
of the church and the proper training of those who are to preach and 
to teach and to guide in her councils. We rightly so regard them, and 
yet numerous and richly endowed educational institutions do not con- 
stitute our strength. The strength of the church and her future devel- 
opment and welfare must necessarily depend upon the inception and the 
growth of the Christ life within the individual believer. Without this 

7 



9S THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

there can be no such thing as real success, and for this we must depend 
upon the faithful and loving declaration of the whole counsel of God, 
accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The church, therefore, in the century to come must depend, as in the 
century past, upon the faithful preaching of the word, accompanied by 
the prayers and the efforts of all who constitute the true body of be- 
lievers ; and, when the pulpit and the pew co-operate in loving service 
for the salvation of the world, so that the individual Christian shall be 
fully and symmetrically developed and shall render the service which that 
development implies, then and not till then shall be brought to pass the 
condition of the church described in one of the hymns which we joined in 
singing to-day : 

" Unshaken as the eternal hills, 
Immovable she stands; 
A mountain that shall fill the earth, 
A house not made with hands." 



PRESBYTERIAN INFLUENCE. 

HON. JOHN SCOTT. 

I FELT that I was honored in being asked by my old associates and 
friends of the Presbytery of Huntingdon to reappear among them at 
this Centennial celebration and make an address upon the influence of 
Presbyterianism in Central Pennsylvania. It was with very great regret 
that, under then existing circumstances and what amounted to a com- 
mand from my physician, I felt constrained to say I could not discharge 
that duty. At a later day I was glad when informed that Rev. George 
Elliott, one of the former pastors at Alexandria, had been selected to 
fill my place. 

Two weeks ago I sat in a Presbyterian home in Georgia. I had just 
returned from a call upon the widowed daughter of Rev. John McKin- 
ney, another of its pastors. The husband and wife in that home look 
back with fond memories of early days to the scenes of the bright and 
beautiful Juniata, and it stood within sight of an institution of learning 
which bore the name of one of the Presbyterian mothers of this valley. 
There I read the sad news of George Elliott's death. They had all 
listened to his preaching. Could I do otherwise than feel that the in- 
fluences of the old Presbyterian church at Alexandria, beginning back 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 99 

in the days of the original congregation of Hart's Log, extending down 
through the ministries of Rev. John Johnston, John Peebles, James 
Thompson, Samuel Wilson, John McKinney, George Elliott, S. T. 
Lowrie, S. M. Moore, J. C. Barr, S. T. Joly, and Mr. Stewart (all of 
whom except the first, Mr. Johnston, I have known), that these influ- 
ences had gone out for good, not only in but far beyond the limits of 
Central Pennsylvania? 

What is true of the Presbyterian congregation of old Hart's Log and 
Alexandria is also true of this whole Presbytery. The Presbytery of 
Carlisle originally embraced Huntingdon, and Huntingdon Presbytery 
originally embraced what is now Northumberland. This may safely be 
deemed Central Pennsylvania, for it would be a too limited application 
to confine it to the counties now embraced in the Presbytery. 

To discuss at length the influences of Presbyterianism in this terri- 
tory would require the historian to take up the family names of our 
congregations in the old Presbytery of Carlisle and in this Presbytery 
and follow them in their movements through all the States in the Union ; 
for what Charles Dickens said, after his visit to the United States, of the 
typical American citizen, that " He would hardly consent even to enter 
heaven without the reserved right of going farther west," might be 
emphasized when applied to that part of our countrymen who are Pres- 
byterians, and especially who are Scotch or Scotch-Irish. 

When the letter announcing Mr. Elliott's death was. handed to me I 
had taken up the volume of Egle's " Pennsylvania Genealogies." That 
volume was compiled, without reference to denominations or national- 
ities, by the descendant of a family from Zurich, Switzerland, and upon 
turning over its pages, as I was then and there prompted to do from the 
train of thought caused by the sorrowful news of the death of one to 
whose voice I had hoped to listen in this meeting, I found that of the 
fifty-two family genealogies there given, thirty-eight of them were of 
Scotchmen or Scotch-Irishmen. Let me read the names, and as I do 
so you will need no prompting to recognize many whose families and 
descendants have had a large part in exerting the wholesome influences 
of Presbj'terianism in Central Pennsylvania and far beyond it : Allen, 
Alrichs, Anderson, Awl or Auld, Ayres, Barnett, Beatty, Boas, Bom- 
berger, Boyd, Bucher, Crain, Cowden, Dixon, Egle, Elder, Espy, Fer- 
guson, Fleming, Forster, Fulton, Galbraith, Gregg-Curtin, Greenawalt, 
Hamilton, Hays, Keller, Kendig, Kunkel, Linn, Lyon, Maclay, Mc- 
Cormick, McNair, MuUer, Murray, Neville-Craig, Orth, Parker-Denny, 



lOO THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Roan, Robinson, Rutherford, Stewart, Swan, Thomas, Wallace-Weir, 
Wallace-Hoge, Wiestling, Wiggin-Simonton, Wilson, Wyeth. 

I have thus read the whole list, and it embraces from Scotland and 
Ireland 38, Germany and Holland 8, Switzerland 5, England i. 

When I had gone through this list I asked myself, " Although I can- 
not make such an address as would adequately present the subject as- 
signed, and which I had hoped to hear discussed by Mr. Elliott, may I 
not read this list and a few comments upon it at this meeting, the order 
of my physician to the contrary notwithstanding ? If I dare not speak, 
may I not read ?" 

What a history would flow out from a consideration of these family 
names ! How many ministers of the gospel, presidents of colleges, 
teachers of schools and seminaries, governors, judges of courts, legis- 
lators, officers and soldiers in army and navy, men of prominence in all the 
professions and occupations of life, and women who have adorned and 
blessed the homes of such men, would be found among their descendants ! 

By way of illustration I first take the name of Galbraith, a familiar 
one in Central Pennsylvania. In reading through its connections occur 
the names of John Bannister Gibson, the great chief justice of Pennsyl- 
vania, and Ephraim Blaine, the father of James G. Blaine. The influence 
of that Galbraith family in the Valley of the Juniata you will readily 
appreciate when I read this note from the book referred to : " Martha 
McLellan (a descendant) married James Galbraith, and other daughters 
married, respectively, John Holliday, William Holliday, Captain John 
Blair, of Blair County, Samuel Culbertson, Mr. McDowell, and Mr. 

Ramsey, of Franklin County, Pennsylvania." Sarah W. Galbraith 

married, in 18 10, John Bannister Gibson. W. A. Galbraith was a presi- 
dent judge in Erie County. Milnor Roberts, a prominent civil engineer. 
It was no small tribute to the grade of character resulting from Presby- 
terian education and its accompanying Bible training that Judge Black 
paid when, in speaking in eulogy of the integrity of Judge Gibson, he 
said, " His was not that common kind of honesty which it is no credit 
to have, but simply a disgrace to be without." 

In the family name of Hamilton there occurs this about aristocracy 
and loss of pedigree : a lady tracing the pedigree to a duke of Hamilton 
says, " The coat of arms and his descent were carefully preserved by 
my grandfather. General Chambers, for many years after his marriage 
to Catharine Hamilton, as a cherished relic, but in the infancy of th'e 
American Republic and the essential and consistent training of the dis- 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 10 1 

tinguished patriot and his accomplished wife the children were taught to 
abhor aristocracy or anything like it. So the two cases containing the 
proofs of these honors became playthings and eventually disappeared, 
leaving only the certificate of General James Chambers, of Franklin 
County, Pennsylvania, commander of the first Pennsylvania regiment in 
the Revolutionary War, as a member of the Society of the Cincinnati." 
As a commentary upon this, let me say that the lady who uttered these 
words was not only a connection of the Hamilton family, but, as you 
have learned, was also a descendant of the Chambers family. She lived 
in Cincinnati, and was herself the wife of Judge McLean, of the United 
States Supreme Court. 

Thus might I go on and comment upon the names of Beatty, Gregg, 
Linn, Lyon, Maclay, Murray, Stewart, Wilson, and others, and find 
running out from them all streams of influence which have permeated 
for good all the States of the Union. In doing this, especially would 
we find the Scotch-Irish always in the front in the establishment of 
schools and colleges. Dickinson College was founded by Presbyterians. 
Rev. Isaac Grier, a graduate of that college and a member of the orig- 
inal Presbytery of Huntingdon before Northumberland Presbytery was 
taken from it, founded a classical school at Jersey Shore, and his son, 
Robert C. Grier, became another judge of the Supreme Court of the 
United States. The schools of Kirkpatrick, at Milton, and, in more 
recent days, of Mr. McGinnis, at Shade Gap, Huntingdon County, at 
Academia, Juniata County, at Milroy, Mifflin County, Bellwood, Blair 
County; female seminaries at Chambersburg, Birmingham, Hollidays- 
burg, and others have continued to keep alive the interest in education 
of both sexes. Although the old Presbytery, in l8lo, did vote against 
the expediency of establishing the theological seminary at Princeton, 
" on the ground that such a school would not be calculated to promote 
the interest of religion," she has manifested her confidence by sending 
her sons to that seminary to be trained for the ministry, and that Pres- 
bytery and seminary are now in entire accord I may safely argue from 
the fact that Dr. Hamill, Governor Beaver, S. T. Lowrie, and myself are 
among the directors of the seminary to assure Dr. Mutchmore and his 
associates of the Assembly's Committee that she is sound in the faith 
and will need neither a mandamus to command her to do her duty nor 
an injunction to restrain her from teaching heresy. 

Such influences as this Presbytery exerted in early days it has con- 
tinued to exert. How could it be otherwise when I recall such men as 



102 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

I have known in her ministry, Doctors Junkin, McKinney, and Gibson 
of HoUidaysburg, Linn in Bellefonte, Woods and McClain in Lewistown, 
Peebles and Zahnizer in this pulpit, Matthew Allison and George W. 
Thompson in Juniata County ; and in the eldership such as Professor 
Wilson and E. L. Doty in Juniata County, Dr. Maclay and E. Banks in 
Mifflin County, Judge Ker, Jacob Miller, John Porter, John Owens, and 
Judge McWilliams in Huntingdon County, and Joshua Roller, Judge 
Rea, and John Tussey in Blair County, E. C. Humes and H. N. McAlister 
in Centre County, and others like them equally entitled to mention ? 

It is not only the men who exerted their influence upon their day 
and generation and that which has followed it, but it is the Presbyterian- 
ism which was in them and exerted its influence upon them and made 
them the men they were that must be borne in mind : that system of 
doctrine to which they adhered, in which they believed, which acknowl- 
edged in its full extent the sovereignty of God, — that he rules and reigns 
in the armies of heaven and doeth his will among the inhabitants of the 
earth, — and developed at the same time the highest type of individuality, 
independence, and self-reliance in man. It is this characteristic of Pres- 
byterianism which has given the church in this land its high position 
for intelligence and fidelity to truth, and to its members their influence in 
public affairs of State and nation. They may not be in the proper sense 
of the term pugnacious, but they are always persistent and persevering. 

Sitting one evening in South Carolina with a former lieutenant- 
governor of that State, we were discussing the features of the war, and 
among other questions was presented this one : " Could it have ter- 
minated any earlier than it did ?" Governor Cannon's reply to me was, 
" No, it could not. There were too many Presbyterians on both sides 
for that. When they go into a fight, whether right or wrong, they 
always believe they are right, and they fight it out." And he might 
strongly argue the truth of his opinion when we consider that from the 
Puritans and Scotch-Irishmen scattered from New England down through 
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Caro- 
lina, and Georgia, with the Huguenots who were mingled with them, it 
was too much to expect that the spirit of independence and individu- 
ality which found its way from the shores of Europe to Plymouth 
Rock, and was manifested at Bunker Hill and Yorktown, would not 
again manifest itself as it did at Antietam, Gettysburg, and Appomattox. 

Shall this spirit of individuality and self-reliance be maintained ? In 
these days, when organization is in danger of crushing out the indi- 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. I03 

vidual in business enterprises, we must see to it that in the old Presby- 
terian Church each man's responsibility to his Maker shall keep him 
independent and upright in the discharge of all his duties, let his station 
in life be what it may. 

It is only from the united influences of those " whose works prosper 
because they delight in the law of their God" that any church organiza- 
tion can effect good results. Let us hope that the men and women of 
the present will maintain and increase the influence for good which this 
dear old Presbytery has for a century exerted, feeling at once the oppor- 
tunities and responsibilities of life, and realizing for each of us the truth 
of those beautiful words of Ruskin when he spoke of the individual 
trees making the Garden of God and compared them to our lives. 

" Other symbols have been given often to show the evanescence and 
shortness of our lives, — the foam upon the water, the grass upon the 
housetop, the vapor that vanishes away ; yet none of these are images 
of true human life. That life when it is real is not evanescent, is not 
slight, does not vanish away. 

"Every noble life leaves the fibre of it interwoven forever in the ivork 
of the world : by so much evermore the strength of the human race has 
gained ; more stubborn in the root ; higher toward heaven in the branch ; 
and ' as a tall tree, and as an oak where substance is in them when they 
cast their leaves, so the holy seed is in the midst thereof " 



CENTENNIAL HYMN. 

REV. D. K. FREEMAN, D.D. 

Our fathers' God, to thee we raise 
The anthem of our grateful praise. 
Inspire each thought, rejoice each heart. 
The spirit of thy grace impart. 

Within these hallowed walls we meet. 
Thy goodness through the past repeat. 
Rich mercies crown the era done, 
O Saviour ! bless the opening one. 

The century fell " from out thy hand," 
The days and hours " like grains of sand, 
The church our fathers planted then 
We consecrate to thee again. 



I04 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The people thou hast led, through years 
Of joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, 
Lead on ; bring all within thy fold ; 
Let the new age surpass the old. 



CLOSING PRAYER OF THE CENTENNIAL SERVICES. 

REV. ROBERT F. WILSON. 

Our Father who art in heaven, we come at the close of this inter- 
esting Centennial service to render to thee our united thanks for all the 
way in which thou hast led us and our fathers before us. 

We express to thee our heartfelt gratitude for what they and we as a 
Presbytery, under thy guiding hand and assisting grace, have accom- 
plished in the century past. 

For all the manifold good the generations preceding achieved, of 
which our ears have heard and which our eyes have seen and which our 
hearts have experienced, coming down to us through all these eventful 
years, we unitedly give to thee, our Lord and Redeemer, thanksgiving 
and praise. Thy loving-kindness and forbearing mercy have been vouch- 
safed to us as a Presbytery during all the coming and going years which 
to-day complete our Presbyterial century. And now as we leave the 
past, filled as it is with hallowed memories, and turn our view and 
thought to the future where duty and responsibility await us, help us, 
blessed Jesus, to address ourselves anew to the discharge of obligations, 
as they meet us, with increasing diligence, zeal, and fidelity. 

Heavenly Father, we do entreat thee to grant us needful wisdom to 
guide us in the right way, to aid us in the performance of duty, and to 
keep us in all the coming years loyal to the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, 
our Lord and Master. Help us to gather fresh encouragement and in- 
spiration from our review of God's faithfulness to us as a Presbytery 
hitherto, to nerve and strengthen us for all the future. 

And* now may the Presbyterial vantage gained by reason of a cen- 
tury's experience serve to make the Presbytery more and more efficient 
in the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and to the Father, Son, 
and Holy Ghost shall be all the praise, now and forever. Amen. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 105 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE FOLLOWING 
CHURCHES. 



ALEXANDRIA. 



This church, including the old Hart's Log Church, by which it was 
first known, is the oldest of any denomination in this region of the State. 
The Hart's Log Church merged into the present Alexandria Presbyterian 
Church in 1830. The earliest records we have are dated 1786, when a 
house of worship was built for the Hart's Log congregation one mile 
north of the present town of Alexandria, where the old burying-ground 
is still to be seen. But we have reasons to believe that the congrega- 
tion was in existence for a considerable time prior to this. 

The Presbyterians were the pioneers of this region, some of whom, 
such as Charles and Robert Caldwell, James and John Dean, Peter 
Graffaus, and others who might be named, were actors in the Indian 
troubles during the Revolutionary War; and from what we know of 
those sturdy old Scotch-Irish Presbyterian pioneers, it may be presumed 
that the Presbyterian faith and form of worship were observed at least 
ten years, and perhaps longer, previous to the records in our possession 
dated 1786. The house of worship referred to, built for the Hart's Log 
congregation, was a very primitive affair ; it was built of logs, with a 
ground-floor, exposed rafters, and rudely seated. Occasionally serpents 
crawled in during service and upset the equilibrium of the staid wor- 
shippers. The swallows also, as of old in the tabernacle, found nests 
for themselves amid the rafters. This building was used for some 
years without the luxury of a stove, during which time some of the 
more enterprising members supplied them.selves with warming-pans and 
foot-stoves. After using this building for about twenty years, the con- 
gregation built a stone church nearer to Alexandria, which was then 
something of a village, but the material yielded so rapidly to the ele- 
ments that the building was considered unsafe, and they returned to the 



Io6 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

old log church. This church became divided in 1814 on account of 
differences of opinion concerning the war with Great Britain, which was 
then drawing to a close. A part of the congregation took offence at a 
political sermon preached by the pastor, Rev. John Johnston, and with- 
drew and worshipped in Alexandria. The Rev. John Johnston was 
installed pastor of the Hart's Log Church in November, 1787. His 
pastorate here continued until April, 1823. In June, 1825, Rev. John 
Peebles was called to this church, to which he gave one-third of his 
time, and which he served until 1830. The balance of his time he gave 
to Huntingdon. The disaffected element who seceded from the Hart's 
Log Church in 1 8 14 continued to worship in Alexandria, but they were 
not fully organized until 18 19. Rev. James Thompson was installed 
their first pastor on the 19th of April, 18 19. He continued their pastor 
until the 8th of October, 1830, when he was called to his reward. Mr. 
Thompson was a faithful and efficient pastor. His people showed their 
appreciation of him by erecting a beautiful marble slab over his grave. 
A new church was built during his pastorate. 

Soon after the death of Mr. Thompson, Mr. Peebles resigned his 
charge at Hart's Log, generously gave up one-third of his salary in the 
interests of peace, and advised the two churches to unite, which they 
did soon afterwards with one hundred and forty members. They united 
at Alexandria, and hence this church became the lineal descendant of 
the old Hart's Log Church. 

The first pastor after the reunion was Rev. Samuel Wilson, who was 
installed November, 1832, and served the church four years and six 
months. The next pastor was Rev. John McKinney, who was installed 
in May, 1838, and continued as pastor until June, 1848. The next pas- 
tor was Rev. George Elliot, who was installed in June, 1849; he con- 
tinued a faithful pastor until April, 1858, when he resigned. The church 
was then supplied for several months by Rev. D. A. Happeh The Rev. 
S. T. Lowrie was installed pastor in December, 1858; he remained 
pastor until April, 1863. The next pastor was Rev. S. M. Moore; he 
was installed in November, 1863; his relations to the church were dis- 
solved in October, 1870, having served the church for seven years. The 
Rev. J. C. Barr, the next pastor, was called July 15, 1871, and installed 
the following November; he continued to serve the church faithfully as 
pastor until October 6, 1885, a period of about fourteen years. The 
next pastor was Rev. A. H. Jolly, who was called January 13, i?86, 
and installed in the following June. His relations to the church as 




ALEXANDRIA. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. XOJ 

pastor were dissolved in August, 1893, after serving the church about 
eight years. During his administration a mission chapel was built in 
the valley, which continues under the care of this church. The present 
pastor, Rev. W. E. Stewart, was called November 16, 1893, entered the 
field December i, and was installed in June, 1894. 

The first record that we have of the election of elders in the Hart's 
Log Church is dated September 10, 1787. The persons elected were 
James Dean, George Gray, Thomas McCune, and William McCoy. 
The next year Edward Hunter and David Stewart were elected. In 
May, 1796, Matthew Gray, David Caldwell, and John Dean were chosen. 

At the reunion the Session of each of the two churches resigned and 
new elders were chosen, some of which had served before. Those 
elected were John Dean, John Gahagan, David Tussey, William Stewart, 
George Wilson, and John Porter ; the first three were chosen from the 
Hart's Log part of the congregation and the last three from the Alex- 
andria. 

Mr. John Porter served as clerk of the united Session for fifty-six 
years, keeping the records in a very neat, methodical manner. He also 
served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school for fifty-two consecutive 
years, lacking a few weeks. In this capacity he was much beloved by 
the young, over whom he exercised an excellent influence for good ; 
and it is due this good man to say that in all his relations in life he was 
an exemplary Christian. 

In 1841, James Davis, Christian Sheller, William Shaw, and D. 
Houtz, M.D., were chosen elders. In 185 1, Peter Stryker, J. M. Gem- 
mill, M.D., and George Stiner were elected. In 1859, John Gemmill, 
John Dysart, and Patrick Davis were elected. In 1869, Samuel Hat- 
field, John A. Whittaker, James McElroy, and Samuel Patterson were 
selected. In February, 1878, WiUiam Stryker, James H. Dysart, and 
Alfred Porter were elected. In January, 1888, Charles P. Hatfield, 
George B. Porter, W. S. Livingston, and William A. Whittaker were 
chosen. 

The present membership of this church is two hundred and twenty- 
one. It is harmonious, well organized, and in good running condition. 
The Session is composed of men of judgment and wisdom. The 
borough cemetery, which has been recently enlarged and beautified 
through the liberality of Mr. William Thompson, of Philadelphia, and 
Mr. W. H. Wolverton, of New York, is the property of this congrega- 
tion. This church has been the feeder of a number of Presbyterian 



I08 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

congregations within a radius of ten miles, notably Tyrone. The 
churches of Sinking Valley, Spruce Creek, and Shavers Creek were all 
organized after the Hart's Log. 

The present church edifice is a substantial, commodious, home-like 
brick structure of two stories, furnished with a handsome pipe-organ, 
surrounded with a beautiful grove, and is in every way a desirable 
church home. It was built in 185 1, during Rev. George Elliot's pas- 
torate. It has been the church home of doctors, lawyers, ministers, 
statesmen, and successful business men, notably Hon. John Scott, ex- 
United States senator, Hon. H. J. McAteer, ex-State senator, who is at 
present a member, J. M. Gemmill, M.D., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
Rev. Henry Van Dyke, D.D., New York, Rev. T. Calvin Stewart, 
Easton, Pennsylvania, Rev. T. C. Porter, D.D., Easton, Pennsylvania, 
Jacob Stewart, Esq., Easton, Pennsylvania, and others. 

The present officers are : Elders, Alfred Porter (clerk), J. A. Whit- 
taker, Charles P. Hatfield, William Whittaker, and William Stryker. 

Trustees, John Hatfield, Henry W. Swope, Benjamin Hatfield, Wilson 
Robb, William Work, Calvin Laird, and Calvin Porter. 

Deacons, Hon. H. J. McAteer, Calvin Porter, and Enoch Kline. 

Henry W. Swope, president board of trustees, and John Phillips, 
treasurer ; William Stryker, Sabbath-school superintendent. 

The writer of this sketch begs to acknowledge his indebtedness to 
the historical sermons of Rev. J. C. Barr for data. 



W. E. Stewart. 



November 11, 1895. 



ALTOONA FIRST. 



The First Presbyterian Church, the natural and nursing mother 
of all churches of that denomination now in the city of Altoona, was 
organized November 8, 1852. The elders then chosen were John 
McCartney, Jonathan Hamilton (only one now living), John Hutchison, 
G. D. Thomas, M.D., and James L. Gwin. 

The first building was erected on what is known as Gospel Hill, now 
occupied by the pleasant home of William Murray, Sr., for many years 
an active elder of this church (now retired). That building was burned 
Sabbath morning, March 4, 1855, just as the people were assembling for 
worship. Two lots were then purchased on what is now Eleventh 




ALTOONA, FIRST. PASTORS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. I09 

Avenue {jiee Virginia Street), and the present edifice built there in the 
year 1855. 

The village of that day seems to have resembled the anatomy of the 
crane, and these builders had no dream of a city of fifty thousand, there- 
fore desired to place the church in the midst of the village and on the 
main and almost only passage-way through it. Now they would gladly 
be farther from the shriek and rattle and rumble and ding-dong of steam- 
cars, trolleys, and the roar of city business that have too little regard 
for the Lord's day, the Sabbath. But then they could buy for fifteen 
hundred dollars what is valued to-day at fifty thousand dollars. 

In November, 1854, Rev. A. B. Clark was chosen the first pastor, 
which office he is said to have filled with acceptance and efficiency until 
April II, 1863, at which date he resigned. The records of this pastorate 
are too meagre to learn much concerning it. That was not the day of 
full records and figuring out great results. 

January 25, 1864, Rev. R. M. Wallace, D.D., was chosen pastor. 
This was a time of war and secession. In that period the Second 
Church went out from the First ; yet certainly not from a spirit of re- 
bellion or secession, we believe, but assured the mother family was large 
enough to spare them, and their duty to the Lord's house was to set up 
another family and gather children of their own; therefore, June 21, 
1869, the Second Church was organized with forty charter members from 
the First Church, and now enrolls between seven and eight hundred mem- 
bers. Dr. Wallace's pastorate closed June 8, 1875, by resignation. 

Rev. M. N. Cornelius, next pastor, began his ministry January i, 
1876. This year opened with large accessions, the first communion 
twenty-eight Avere received from the Sabbath-school. From reports. 
Dr. Cornelius was evidently very popular, both inside and outside his 
congregation ; although afflicted with lameness, as a pastor he excelled, 
and as a preacher he was ready, fluent, and entertaining. His pastorate 
closed by resignation in May, 1885. Just one year later. May, 1886, 
Rev. J. W. Bain began his pastorate, and occupies the pulpit at the 
present date. The roll at that time contained four hundred and eighty- 
four names ; to these haye been added four hundred and twenty-four, 
and had all been retained the number would now be nine hundred and 
eight, but we know where many of them have gone. When the number 
reached six hundred we believed it a duty to swarm. As small congre- 
gations are, in proportion, more efficient than large ones, we have never 
permitted our roll to exceed five hundred and fifty or six hundred. And 



no THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

the rapid growth of the city demanded that we multiply Presbyterian 
churches if we were going to occupy and till our field. Therefore, on 
January 14, 1889, the Third Church was organized, to which we dismissed 
fourteen charter members; on July 18, 1892, the Fourth, or Juniata, 
Church was organized, to which we dismissed thirteen charter members ; 
and on September 15, 1892, the Fifth, or Broad Avenue, to which we 
dismissed six charter members. To all these new organizations the 
First Church has since contributed liberally both money and members, 
and they now number from one hundred to three hundred members 
each, and give good promise of growth spiritually and financially, as 
one of them will soon finish one of the finest church buildings in the 
city. 

Of the present pastorate, the incumbent is only willing to say he 
hopes it has been as pleasant and profitable to everj^ member and hearer 
as to himself His salary has been fully and promptly paid every month, 
and there has not been war and worry enough to gray a single hair 
since he came. More than this it would not be proper to say, as like 
Tennyson's brook, it is still running on, with murmurs and ripples 
enough to prove it is still a living stream. When the pastorate ends, 
others can, if they wish, estimate it and write its record. 

The church is at the present officered by strong and faithful men and 
helped by scores of fervent, devoted women. The present able and 
intelligent Session are Jonathan Hamilton, the saintly patriarch of the 
Session, passing from four- to fivescore years, William Murray, Sr. (re- 
tired), Benjamin F. Custer, T. M. Wiggins, A. C. Shand, Morris Davis, 
Samuel Patterson, Professor D. S. Keith, WiUiam Black, J. G. Hirst. 

With a convenient and commodious building, in a pleasanter location, 
the First Church will continue its great power and usefulness in this 
needy, industrious, and rapidly-growing city until the end and the 
exaltation come. 

J. W. Bain. 



ALTOONA SECOND. 

About one hundred years ago our grandmother church was organ- 
ized in Hollidaysburg, and was nourished not only by the membership 
there, but received no little vitality from that beautiful valley to its south- 
east known as Scotch Valley. Having from its early history a very 





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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. Ill 

decided leaning towards missionary work, we find, as early as 1824, its 
pastor, the Rev. James Galbraith, was doing this work in this neighbor- 
hood, and held the first services within the bounds of Altoona, preaching 
in what was then known as the " Black Oak Rock" school-house, our 
late elder, James Hutchison, being present. The Rev. W. J. Gibson, D.D., 
afterwards preached in the old Union school-house in 1838, and was 
succeeded by that sturdy old divine. Rev. David McKinney, D.D., with 
whom recollections of the Shorter Catechism are associated. He 
preached in the same place about 1842. 

The city of Altoona was founded near the middle of the nineteenth 
century, and its rapid growth very soon drew many Christians of various 
denominations, and as Presbyterians are usually thrifty in business, they 
were naturally drawn to the place, and at an early date the church was 
organized. This was the First Presbyterian Church of Altoona, and in 
1854 called to its pastorate the Rev. A. B. Clark, who served that church 
until his death, in June, 1863. The Rev. R. M. Wallace, D.D., was 
his successor; he was pastor of this church from 1864 until June, 
1875. During the years of his pastorate the church grew in numbers 
and in efficiency until the building was too small to accommodate the 
congregation. The rapid growth of the city was such that it became 
necessary that a new organization should be effected and a new church 
building erected. This was suggested as early as 1869, and a meeting 
was called to consider this question ; this meeting was held at the home 
of William M. Lloyd, at which the following persons were present : Mr. 
Lloyd, Thomas McCauley, Joseph Dysart, James Hutchison, Daniel 
Laughman, Charles J. Mann, Dr. J. M. Gemmill, S. C. Baker, and per- 
haps one or two others. These were not the only ones identified with 
the movement, for James H. Dysart, John M. Campbell, and John H. 
Converse were present at subsequent meetings. 

After careful deliberation, a petition was presented to the Session of 
the First Church, praying them to unite with the petitioners in requesting 
the Presbytery of Huntingdon to organize a Second Presbyterian Church 
at Altoona ; and as a result of this action the Presbytery appointed the 
following committee to organize a church, if the way be clear : the Rev. 
S. M. Moore, D.D., Rev. R. M. Wallace, D.D., Rev. R. H. Campbell, 
and Elder Jonathan Hamilton. , This committee met and organized the 
Second Church of Altoona on the evening of June 21, 1869. This meet- 
ing was held in the First Church, and the following persons were the 
original members : John M. Campbell, Mrs. Cornelia M. Campbell, 



112 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

James Knox, John Shafer, Mrs. Mary Shafer, Wm. M. Lloyd, Mrs. Jane 
E. Lloyd, John McCormick, Miss Mary McCormick, H. I. Simpson, 
Cornelius Campbell, Mrs. Lizzie Campbell, Miss Nannie Craig, Mrs. 
Lavinia Plowman, Hugh A. Campbell, Mrs. A. E. Campbell, Miss Fannie 
M. Campbell, Thomas McCauley, Dr. J. M. Gemmill, Mrs. Anna T. 
Gemmill, Miss L. G. Wallace, Daniel Laughman, Mrs. Mary A. Laugh- 
man, Miss Annie M. Laughman, John M. Bowman, Joseph Dysart, Mrs. 
M. A. Dysart, Miss Ella M. Dysart, Miss Emma Dysart, Miss Lizzie 
Dysart, Charles J. Mann, Mrs. Ann Mann, James Hutchison, Mrs. Mary 
Hutchison, Miss Ann Hutchison, Miss Jennie Scott, Miss Anna Ba'-nes, 
Miss Annie H. Baker, John Miller, Mrs. Mary Miller, Miss Ellen Miller, 
Miss Martha Miller, Miss Clara Miller, Mrs. Anna M. Osterloh, Miss 
Maggie Campbell, Miss Harriet Foster, James H. Dysart. The Rev. 
Dr. Moore, of Tyrone, preached the sermon. The following officers 
were elected : 

Elders, James Hutchison, J. M. Campbell, and James H. Dysart. 

Deacons, Charles J. Mann and Daniel Laughman. 

Trustees, Wm. M. Lloyd, S. C. Baker, Thos. McCauley, Joseph 
Dysart, John H. Converse, and Dr. J. M. Gemmill. 

Deacons and elders served in the same capacity in the mother church. 

The trustees decided in the first meeting, which was held in Bell's 
Hall, July 6, 1869, that the new church should be located on the east 
side of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Bell's Hall was located at the corner 
of. Seventh Avenue and Twelfth Street, and was rented and fitted up to 
be a temporary place for the Sabbath-school and church services. The 
first public service was held in Bell's Hall on Sunday, July 11, 1869, and 
conducted by the Rev. C. S. Kitchell, after which time regular services 
both Sunday and Wednesday evening were held. 

As an indication of the necessity of this organization, it may be 
mentioned that at the first anniversary held in the City Hall, Sunday, 
July 17, 1870, the main school numbered three hundred and one, and 
the infant department one hundred and twenty-six scholars, with eight 
ofificers and thirty-seven teachers. The first sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper that was observed was Sunday, August 29, 1869, being admin- 
istered by Rev. D, X. Junkin, D.D. Monday, August 30, 1869, was set 
aside as the day for the baptism of the children, being the first in the 
history of the congregation. Monday, September 20, 1869, at a congre- 
gational meeting, the Rev. David Hall, of Mansfield, Ohio, was elected 
pastor, but declined to accept the call. However, some time later the 




ALTOONA. SECOND. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. II3 

call was renewed and again declined. April 5, 1870, the Rev. Dr. J. H. 
Mathers acting as moderator, a unanimous call was made to Licentiate 
W. J. Chichester, of the Presbytery of Baltimore, who was attending the 
Western Theological Seminary. This call was accepted on condition 
that he be permitted to continue his studies during the next year at 
Princeton. The congregation accepted this condition, and he was not 
installed until the second Tuesday of June, 1871. At the installation 
the Rev. R. M. Wallace, D.D., presided, and proposed the constitutional 
questions ; the Rev. D. H. Barron, D.D., preached the sermon ; the Rev. 
S. M. Moore, D.D., charged the pastor, and the Rev. O. O. McClain, 
D.D., charged the people. During the interval between Mr. Chichester's 
call and installation the church was supplied by various ministers, but 
Rev. Stuart Mitchell, D.D., acted as stated supply from October, 1870, 
until June i, 1871. 

The ground upon which the present church is located was purchased 
from Mr. Clement Jaggard in 1870 for four thousand five hundred dollars. 
Subscriptions were received for building a chapel and Sunday-school 
room, amounting to fourteen thousand three hundred and twenty-three 
dollars. Mr. Joseph Dysart superintended the building of this structure, 
the work being commenced in September, 1870; and the chapel was 
dedicated in April, 187 1. Rev. Dr. David Hall, of Mansfield, Ohio, 
preached the dedicatory sermon. The chapel cost about twenty thou- 
sand dollars. At the dedication a subscription of seven thousand five 
hundred and forty-one dollars was made, but that was insufficient to 
cancel the debt. The following persons have served as elders or deacons 
of this congregation since its organization, including the above named : 
November 22, 1871, Dr. J. M. Gemmill, Wm. M. Lloyd, and Robert L. 
Gamble were elected elders, and John M. Bowman and Maxwell Kinkead 
were elected deacons. February 1 1, 1874, Charles J. Mann and Alex- 
ander B. Findley were elected ruling elders, and John A. Castor, C. B. 
Bowles, T. H. Wigton, and W. A. Magee were elected deacons. 

Additional elders were elected March 28, 1877, as follows : James D. 
Irvin, Wm. J. Allen, Joseph Dysart, and S. M. Ross; and deacons, J. N. 
Barr, Harry Slep, J. C. Wilson, and Thomas E. Campbell. 

A congregational meeting was held April, 1881, at which meeting 
H. K. McCauley and Wm. S. Ross were elected elders ; and on May 2, 
1888, James D. L^vin and J. C.Wilson were elected to the office of ruling 
elder, while George F. Jackson, Henry Canan, Wm. R. Gamble, C. Camp- 
bell, George F. Armstrong, and Calvin C. King were elected deacons. 



114 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The next election of ofificers was held December 7, 1892, when M. 
W. Thomson and T. H. Wigton were elected elders, and Charles W. 
Moore and J. E. Wallace deacons. 

During 1872, 1873, and 1874 there seems to have been a revival in 
this church ; many were added to its membership on profession of faith. 
It is well to observe that this occurred during the time of great financial 
depression. Steps were taken towards the erection of a church building 
proper, and the present structure was decided upon, and the contract 
awarded, to a Mr, Leach. Work was commenced in August, 1875, and 
the building was dedicated December 17, 1876. Rev. George P. Hays, 
D.D., preached the opening sermon. The cost of the building was 
thirty-four thousand nine hundred and sixty-five dollars and sixty- 
six cents. Mr. Chichester, the pastor, received a call to the First 
Church of Titusville, Pennsylvania, February, 1878, and accepted it. 
June 19, 1878, a call was tendered to the Rev. S. W. Duffield, and was 
accepted by him, he being installed October 7, 1878. Rev. J. C. Kelly 
presided and proposed the constitutional questions ; the Rev. M. N. 
Cornelius preached the sermon ; Rev. George Duffield, D.D., charged 
the pastor, and the Rev. J. H. Mathers, D.D., the people. 

During the winter of 1878 and 1879 provision was made for the 
establishment of a sinking fund for the purpose of liquidating the church 
debt. 

The State Sunday-school Convention was held in this church during 
Mr. Duffi eld's pastorate, Rev. Dr. John Hall, of New York, and Rev. 
P. S. Henson, of Chicago, being present. April 14, 1885, "Aunt" Ann 
Dysart, a woman of most lovable character, departed this life, leaving 
a legacy of one thousand dollars to our church, which is the only 
bequest it has ever received in its history. It is stated that she made a 
personal gift of the same amount to a former pastor. Mr. Duffield re- 
ceived a call to the Westminster Church of Bloomfield, New Jersey, 
December i, 1881, and entered upon his labors in his new field Janu- 
ary I, 1882, and remained there until his death, May 12, 1886. 

From January i, 1882, Rev. W. H. Gill, D.D., of Westfield, New 
Jersey, served us as stated supply for three months. September 6, 1882, 
a call was tendered to the Rev. T. A. McCurdy, D,D., of Wooster, Ohio, 
but was declined. November 29, 1882, Rev. J. L. Russell, of Philadel- 
phia, was called to be pastor, and accepted the call, being installed the 
28th of April, 1883. The Rev. M. N. Cornelius presided and proposed 
the constitutional questions. The Rev. S. F. Scovel, D.D., preached the 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. II5 

sermon ; Rev. D. K. Freeman, D.D., charged the pastor, and Rev. J. C. 
Kelly the people. 

At the meeting of the Huntingdon Presbytery, held in this church 
on the first Tuesday of December, 1882, G. Stuart Hackett, one of our 
Sunday-school scholars and a member of our church, was to have been 
ordained to the gospel ministry to go as a missionary to Chile, but, on 
account of physical disability, could not accept the appointment. He 
was, however, licensed at the meeting of the Presbytery at Newton 
Hamilton, ordained by the Presbytery of St. Clairsville, and installed in 
the church at Uniontown, Ohio. 

During Mr. Russell's pastorate many events of unusual interest 
occurred. October 14, 1883, the Reformation Memorial was observed, 
almost all of the Protestant churches of the city taking part. 

Mr. Moody held a series of meetings in this church during October, 
1885, which added largely to its membership, as well as to all of the 
other churches of the city. During this pastorate the Daily Penny 
Offering Committee was appointed in 1884, and that scheme was under- 
taken to lift the church debt. This committee has been very successful, 
and it is due to them to make this public acknowledgment of their 
services. I name with pleasure the members : H. K. McCauley, George 
F. Armstrong, Cornelius Campbell, John McCormick, G. W. Mehaffey, 
who, on his removal to Philadelphia, was succeeded by J. Elliott Wal- 
lace. 

On Sunday, May 15, 1886, impressive memorial services were held 
at four o'clock, in memory of Rev. S. W. Dufifield. Mr. Russell conducted 
the services, and was assisted by Rev. J. W. Bain, of the First Church. 

The State Sunday-school Convention was again held in this church, 
September 25-27, 1888. Mr. Russell resigned his pastorate December 
15, 1888, to accept a call to the First Church of Los Angeles, Cali- 
fornia, and a dissolution was effected December 31. 

About January 20, 1889, this church sent out a colony with some 
additions from the First Church, which formed the Third Church, in the 
eastern portion of the city. 

February 13, 1889, Rev. Arthur W. Spooner, of Elmira, New York, 
was unanimously elected pastor of this church, and was installed on the 
29th day of April. The Rev. D. K. Freeman, D.D., preached and pro- 
pounded the constitutional questions ; the Rev. J. C. Russell, of Elmira, 
charged the pastor, and the Rev. J. R. Davies, D.D., of Tyrone, the 
people. 



Il6 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The Synod of Pennsylvania met in this church, October, 1889, and, 
during Mr. Spooner's pastorate, the Young People's Christian Endeavor 
was organized both in the senior and junior departments. 

During the winter of 1890 and 1891 a remarkable series of revival 
services were held in our church under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Rees. 
September, 1892, another colony put off from this church and formed 
the Broad Avenue Church. Mr. Spooner made a great effort to lift the 
church debt, and received enough subscriptions to meet the demand, but 
the financial stringency of 1893 and 1894 hindered many from making 
payments who had made subscriptions. 

About February i, 1893, Mr. Spooner was called to the First Church 
of Camden, New Jersey, which call he accepted, and the pastoral relation 
was dissolved, to take effect April i, 1893. 

After Mr. Spooner left, the Rev. J. Elliott Wright, D.D., of German- 
town, ministered to us as a stated supply. We made calls to brethren, 
which, in the providence of God, they thought it best to decline ; but, at a 
congregational meeting held February 28, 1894, the Rev. Henry Howard 
Stiles was tendered a call by acclamation, which he accepted, being duly 
installed on Thursday evening, April 19, 1894. Rev. J. W. Bain pre- 
sided, and proposed the constitutional questions ; Rev. Joseph Brown 
Turner, then of the Broad Avenue, now of Dover, Delaware, preached 
the sermon; Rev. Professor Thos. H. Robinson, D.D., of the Allegheny 
Seminary, charged the pastor, and the Rev. Harvey Grseme Furbay, 
Ph.D., the people. 

The following ministers have gone out from this church : M. Percy 
Crouse, G. Stuart Hackett, George Plack, Albert E. McCauley, Edward 
W. McDowell, Ira J. Laughman. 

Since the organization of this church, 1869 to 1894, 1083 persons 
have been added to it upon examination, 681 on profession of faith, 
making a total of 1764; 272 adults have been baptized, 446 infants, 
making a total of 718. We have dismissed 631 to other churches, and 
188 have died, making in all 819. For congregational expenses we have 
contributed ^182,779, and for the benevolent work of the church 
^17,404, or a total of ^200,183. 

Alex. T. Findley. 



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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 11/ 



ALTOONA THIRD. 

The germ from which the Third Church of Altoona has grown was 
a small Sabbath-school of four officers, nine teachers, and fifty-four 
scholars, which was organized May 6, 1888, in the chapel of the German 
Baptist Church on Fifth Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. 

The organization was effected by some of the local members of the 
committee appointed by the Huntingdon Presbytery to further the work 
of Presbyterian extension, together with other members of the First and 
Second Churches. This continued to be the meeting-place of the school 
for several succeeding months. On December 9 of the same year the 
first meeting was held in the new church building which had been erected 
under the direction of Presbytery's committee, on Fifth Avenue and 
Second Street. The growth of the school was so promising that it was 
deemed advisable to proceed to the organization of a church. Accord- 
ingly, on January 14, 1889, Rev. J. H. Mathers, Rev. J. W. Bain, and 
G. L. Myers, the committee of the Presbytery of Huntingdon ap- 
pointed for the purpose, met with others who were interested, and or- 
ganized the church with thirty -three members. Twenty-nine of these 
were received by certificate from the other churches, — the large majority 
of them from the First and Second Churches, and four were received 
upon confession of their faith. 

The following persons were elected ruling elders : Robert Stewart, J. 
D. Irvin, J. M. Hennaman, and A. L. Feltwell, M.D. All of these are 
yet in service, except Robert Stewart, who was removed by death June 
29, 1892. Since then two others have been added to the Session, Gabriel 
T. Hamilton and Frank G. Fowler, who were elected September 14, 1892, 
and still continue in office. 

The following persons were elected deacons at the time of organiza- 
tion : Wesley Reed, John H. Keefer, and Harry S. McFarlin. Wesley 
Reed served until January, 1893, when he was granted a certificate of 
dismissal to the Church of Juniata ; the others have served until now. 
Gabriel T. Hamilton and Frank G. Fowler were elected deacons Febru- 
ary 18, 1891, and served until their election as elders. J. S. Dougherty 
also was elected deacon February 18, 1891, and has continued to serve 
until now. J. S. McCune and W. R. Guilliford were elected deacons No- 
vember 23, 1892, and both have served until the present time. 

The Board of Trustees elected at the time of the organization of the 



Il8 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

church has continued unchanged, and is as follows : George F. Jackson, 
S. M. Griffith, and J. W. Ickes. 

The superintendents of the Sabbath-school in their order and time 
of service are as follows: J. D. Irvin, from 1888 until 1891 ; Silas M. 
M oyer, from 1891 until 1892; John H. Keefer, from 1892 until 1894; 
J. S. McCune, from 1894 until the present time. 

During the first few months of its infant life the church was supplied 
with preaching by various ministers of this and other Presbyteries. In 
February, 1889, special services were conducted by Rev. N. H. Miller, 
D.D., of Osceola Mills, and a number were added to the church. 

At a congregational meeting held September 11, 1889, a call was 
extended to Rev. James E. Irvine, of Fredonia, Pennsylvania, to become 
pastor of the church. He entered upon the. work November 3, was 
received into the Presbytery at a meeting held in the Third Church 
November 19, when the call was formally placed in his hands and ac- 
cepted. The installation took place the evening of the same day, the 
following persons taking part : Rev. John W. Bain preached the ser- 
mon; Rev. J. H. Mathers charged the pastor; Rev. A. W. Spooner 
charged the people. 

This pastorate continues until the present time. Various auxiliary 
societies have been organized to assist in "carrying on the work of the 
church. The Ladies' Aid Society had its beginning as early as February, 
7, 1889. Through the faithful efforts of this organization several hun- 
dred dollars have been gathered for the purposes of the local church. 

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor came into exist- 
ence February 2, 1890. This society has been instrumental in evoking 
the powers of the young people for larger service and in attracting others 
to Christ. 

The Arbutus Mission Band was formed in February, 1890. This 
band, which has since changed its name to the Young Ladies' Missionary 
Society, has awakened a lively interest in the subject of missions, not 
only on the part of its own members, but on the part of others who have 
been provoked to good works. 

The Junior Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, which has 
had a name and healthy life since September, 1892, has done a most 
praiseworthy work in sowing seed in the good soil of the teachable 
hearts of the little ones. 

Last of all, the Auxiliary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary 
Society was organized in September, 1894. The members of this 




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ALTOONA. PASTORS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. II9 

society are in earnest, and already have contributed a handsome sum to 
the work of foreign missions. 

The building in which the church was organized was erected at an 
expense of two thousand one hundred dollars, and the lot involved an 
additional expenditure of one thousand dollars. During the autumn of 
1890, to meet the demands of a growing congregation, the church 
building was enlarged to almost double its former capacity at an expense 
of two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. This was promptly paid, 
and the building was dedicated February 22, 1 891. Early in 1893 the 
lot adjacent to the one on which the church building stands was pur- 
chased by the trustees for the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars, 
nearly all of which sum has been paid. 

Under the goodness of God the growth of this church has been 
constant, and, after the usual proportion of losses by dismissal and 
death, the membership is at present two hundred and ninety. A fair 
proportion of this number have come from the world, but many had 
been faithful and efficient forces in other churches. Among the latter 
are several who have served as ruling elders elsewhere, whose names 
are as follows : 

Silas M. Moyer, William Ashburn, G. B. Hotchkin, M.D., W. S. 
Livingston, and Wesley Reed. 

The Sabbath-school which had so small a beginning now reports a 
membership of two hundred and fifty, with a corresponding increase in 
the number of officers and teachers. The people of this church ought 
to say, reverently, " Surely the Lord hath done great things for us, 
whereof we are glad." 

J. E. Irvine. 

ALTOONA, BROAD AVENUE. 

At a meeting of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, held at Bellwood, a 
committee, consisting of Revs. Dr. Mathers, Freeman, Hamill, Russel, 
and Bain, with laymen G. L. Myers, Daniel Laughman, and John A. 
Canan, of the First Church, George F. Jackson, G. F. Armstrong, and 
S. M. Ross, M.D., of the Second Church, was appointed to take charge 
of the mission work of the city of Altoona. 

This committee purchased from T. H. Wigton, Dr. Baker's heirs, and 
Mrs. James H. Dysart a lot fronting on Broad Avenue between Twenty- 
fourth and Twenty-fifth Streets for the nominal sum of one hundred 



I20 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

dollars. At this time work which, resulted in the organization of the 
Third Church being considered more pressing, nothing further was done 
towards the establishment of mission work on Broad Avenue until the 
spring of 1892, when a sub-committee, consisting of John Lloyd, John 
A. Canan, and S. T. Knox, was appointed by the committee in charge, 
for the purpose of determining a location, collecting funds, and arranging 
for the organization of a church. 

This committee recommended the purchase of a lot on the corner 
of Twenty-fourth Street and Broad Avenue from J. D. Bowman, for the 
sum of two thousand five hundred dollars, and the erection of a chapel 
immediately which would answer for the present needs of a church. 
This was sanctioned by the original committee, and a chapel built at a 
cost of six hundred dollars. Preaching services had been held previous 
to the completion of the chapel in the house of Mr. Alexander Knox. 
The first sermon was preached in the chapel by the Rev. J. R. Sampson, 
June 5, 1892. From this time services were regularly held in connec- 
tion with the Juniata congregation in the extreme opposite end of the 
city until the 23d day of October, when the Juniata Church called a 
pastor for all his time. 

A Sunday-school was organized June 12, 1892, with Mr. John A. 
Canan, superintendent, J. W. Smiley, assistant, Elmer Thomas, secretary, 
H. P. Davis, treasurer, John Martin, Jr., librarian, Mrs. J. W. Smiley, 
organist, and Miss Jeannette Martin, assistant. The attendance was 
fifty-seven. At the close of the first midweek prayer-meeting, July 6, 
it was voted unanimously to ask Presbytery for the organization of a 
church as soon as the^way might be clear. Arrangements were made 
with Rev. John Gourley to act as stated supply until the organization. 
On September 15, 1892, the committee appointed by the Huntingdon 
Presbytery, in session at Orbisonia, July 12, and consisting of Rev. 
J. H. Mathers, D.D., Rev. J. W. Bain, Rev. J. E. Irvin, Rev. A. W. 
Spooner, Rev. John Gourley, and Elder John M. Heneman, met in the 
chapel and effected the organization by the reception of the following 
persons : Mr. John Martin, Sr., and Mrs. Mary Martin, Mr. Alexander 
Knox and Miss May E. Knox, Mr. Robert Smiley, Mrs. Ann Smiley, 
and Miss Agnes Smiley, Mr. James Smiley and Mrs. Maggie L. Smiley, 
Mrs. Mary Richards, Mrs. Clara R. Moyer, Mr. H. P. Davis and Mrs. 
Mary H. Davis, Mr. Thomas L. McNamara and Mrs. Maggie McNamara, 
Mr. B. F. Henderson and Mrs. Julia Henderson, Mrs. C. E. Jones, Mr. 
James Shoanfelt, all from the Second Presbyterian Church of Altoona. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 121 

Mr. John A. Canan and Mrs. Lizzie M. Canan, Mrs. N. C. Morrow, 
Mrs. Kate Haines, Mr. Elmer M. Thomas and Mrs, M. Maud Thomas, 
from the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. S. H. Haffley and Mrs. Ella 
Haffley from the Presbyterian Church, Olean, New York. S. T. Knox, 
a ruling elder from Duncansville Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Annie 
Harrison, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Milleville. The following re- 
ceived by examination, Mr. Charles Harrison, Mr. J. B: Kepperly, Mrs. 
H. S. Kepperly, and Miss Anna Belle Kepperly. John M. Hileman and 
Mrs. John M. Hileman, Mrs. Florence Stoke. 

A formal covenant was entered into, after which the church was 
named the Broad Avenue Presbyterian Church of Altoona, Pennsylvania. 

It was decided to elect three elders and three deacons and that it 
be done by ballot. S. T. Knox, J. W. Smiley, and John A. Canan were 
nominated and the clerk instructed to cast the ballot. These persons 
were elected and declared elders. 

J. W. Martin, J. W. Shoenfelt, and S. H. Haffley were elected deacons. 
These persons were then regularly and solemnly ordained and installed. 
The Presbytery of Huntingdon was requested to enroll the church. 

Regular services were conducted by supplies until January, 1893, 
when a call was made to Rev. Joseph Brown Turner, of Glenshaw, 
Presbytery of Alleghany, who came as pastor on the third Sabbath of 
January, and was installed the 9th day of February, 1893, who was 
the regular pastor until September 23, 1894, at which time he accepted 
a call to the Presbyterian Church of Dover, Delaware. Under the very 
earnest and efficient pastorate of Rev. Turner the church increased in 
membership from forty-three to one hundred and eight, and was pro- 
gressing in every way, having a large and increasing Sabbath-school, an 
active Christian Endeavor Society, so much that the chapel was too 
small for the accommodation of all, and plans for a new and larger church 
building were made and adopted, but owing to the general financial de- 
pression and financial weakness of the membership, and the need at 
their own home churches of all their help there, it was deemed pru- 
dent to delay the erection until a little later, as the location and sur- 
roundings demanded a better church building than the congregation 
were at this time able to erect. 

After Rev. Turner left for his new field of labor, regular church 
services were conducted by supplies until January 2, 1895, at which time 
a call was extended to Rev. Howard N. Campbell, of Martin's Ferry, 
Ohio, who entered upon the work the -first Sabbath of February, and 



122 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

was installed May 9. Under the pastorate of Rev. Campbell up to Au- 
gust I twenty-four members were added ; in all nineteen members were 
dismissed and one called to the church above, leaving our membership 
one hundred and twelve. 

The church is in a prosperous condition, having started the erection 
of the new church to cost about twenty thousand dollars. It will be built 
of Cleveland white stone, and will be suitable for many years to come.* 

In addition to the officers at the organization, A. L. Hench was 
made a ruling elder, having been a ruling elder in the church at Schells- 
burg, and the following Board of Trustees : John M. Hileman, H. P. 
Davis, Joseph Stoke, John A. Canan, and S. T. Knox. Church treas- 
urer, J. W. Smiley. 

The Sabbath-school has increased from fifty-seven to two hundred. 
J. W. Smiley, superintendent ; S. H. Haffley, president Christian En- 
deavor Society; Miss E. May Knox, superintendent Junior Christian 
Endeavor Society. A Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, 
Boy's Brigade, and Young Ladies' Missionary Society. 

We hope with the blessing of God and presence of the Spirit to do 
large things for the Master in this part of his kingdom. 

S. T. Knox. 



BALD EAGLE. 



The Bald Eagle Presbyterian Church was organized at Martha 
Furnace, August 30, 1859, ^y a committee of the Presbytery, consisting 
of Rev, Dr. William J. Gibson and Rev. Robert Hamill, and ruling 
elders Moses Thompson and Hugh Lourimore. The organization 
numbered twenty-eight members from the churches of Spring Creek 
and Bellefonte. Out of this number John I. Thompson, Robert Camp- 
bell, Samuel McKean, and William Kline were chosen ruling elders, 
and, accepting the office, were ordained and installed accordingly. 

The territory covered by the congregation includes that part of 
Bald Eagle Valley located between Port Matilda and Unionville. Ser- 
vices are held at these two points, with an occasional service at Martha 
Furnace. The church has been favored by a succession of faithful pastors 
and stated supplies, under whose ministrations it has shared a good de- 
gree of prosperity. It numbers on its roll at present fifty-two members. 

* This church has since been erected. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 23 

CHURCH BUILDINGS. 

The congregation, owing to its peculiar conformation, found it neces- 
sary to have two church buildings ; they accordingly built one at Union- 
ville at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars, and another at Port 
Matilda, which cost sixteen hundred dollars, both of which are neat and 
comfortable churches, sufficiently large to accommodate the congregations, 
and are free from debt. 

PASTORS. 

A few months after the organization of the church the Rev. S. M. 
Moore was called to become the pastor, which call accepting, he was 
installed at Unionville, January 15, i860. He remained in the pastorate 
two years, until December, 1862. 

The church was then served by supplies appointed by Presbytery for 
a short time, when Rev. William B. McKee was chosen, and, accepting 
the call, was installed as pastor June 17, 1893. He was, at his own 
request, dismissed in December, 1867, after having served the church for 
four and a half years. 

After being for a time served by temporary supplies appointed by the 
Presbytery, the Rev. James P. Hughes served' the church as stated supply 
for four years, from March, 1869, to February, 1873. In August, 1873, 
Rev. J. V. R. Hughes became pastor, and served the church for five 
years, until October, 1878. He was succeeded by the Rev. William 
Prideaux, who served the church as stated supply for four years, from 
October, 1882, to October, 1886. 

On January 18, 1887, Rev. George Elliott, having been previously 
called and having accepted the call, was installed as pastor. He served 
the church until April, 1895, over eight years, when he was removed by 
death. While each of these brethren in their turn, with their varied 
gifts, did good work for the Master, and the retirement of each was felt 
by the people, the loss of no one was more severely felt than that of their 
late pastor. Rev. George Elliott, who from the midst of his faithful and 
successful labors, in an unexpected hour, was suddenly severed from them 
by the hand of death, to the great sorrow of a devoted people. 

RULING ELDERS. 

The congregation, owing to the extent of its territory, found it neces- 
sary to have a greater number of elders than if it had been more com- 
pact; hence at the organization four elders were chosen, — John I.. 



124 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



Thompson, Robert Campbell, Samuel McKean, and William Kline, each 
located in a different part of the field. 

In 1864, James Sommerville was added to their number. In 1865, 
George Taylor. In 1869, William Calhoun, Elias Turner, and Martin 
Adams were chosen. In 1870, George Fleck. In 1873, James M. Blair, 
M.D., John Alexander, and Thomas Davis. In 1879, John A. Hunter 
and Jacob Cronomiller; and in 1 891, Jacob Woodring, Budd Thompson, 
and George Alexander. 

Not personally acquainted with all of the above named, the writer 
may say, that if those he has not been privileged to know were as worthy 
as those of his acquaintance, the Bald Eagle Church has been favored 
with a succession of worthy men to fill the sacred and honorable office 
of ruler in the house of God. 

Robert Hamill. 



BEDFORD. 

The first religious service in Bedford was held in 1763, by Rev. John 
Steel, a member of the Presbytery of Donegal. 

A church was organized and had occasional supplies until 1786, 
when a call was extended to the Rev. David Bard and accepted. 

The line of pastors in this church is as follows : 



Name. 

Rev. David Bard 

Rev. Alexander Boyd 

Rev. Jeremiah Chamberlain, D.D. 
Rev. Daniel McKinley, D.D. . . 
Rev. Boynard R. Hall, D.D. . . . 

Rev. Elbridge Bradbury 

Rev. Alexander Heberton . . . . 

Rev. W. M. Hall 

Rev. W. L. McCalla 

Rev. T. K. Davis 

Rev. R. F. Sample 

Rev. A. V. C. Schenck 

Rev. Robert F. Wilson 

Rev. John R. Henderson . . . , 

Rev. Herbert C. Cone 

Rev. John K. Andrews 

Rev. John M. Barnett 

Rev. William H. Wolverton . . , 
Rev. George S. Bell 



Year. 
786-1789, 
808-1817, 
819-1822 
827-1831, 
833-1838. 
839-1841 
843-1844 
844-1847 
848-1849 
850-1855, 
856-1866, 
866-1868 
868-1878 
878-1880 
881-1883 
884-1891, 
891-1892 
[895 



1892- 
. . . 1895- 

George S. Bell. 




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BELLEFONTE. PASTORS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 25 



BELLEFONTE. 

The Presbyterian Church of Bellefonte has no authentic history- 
prior to the organization of Centre County in the year 1800. Tradition 
says that prior to that time supplies were occasionally furnished under 
the direction of the Presbytery, but the records of the Presbytery them- 
selves make no mention of them. There is no record in the minutes of 
the Presbytery of the organization of the church, but in a note on the 
fly-leaf of the minutes of the Session of the church, made by Rev. 
James Linn in 1837, it is stated as a fact that the congregations of Belle- 
fonte and Lick Run were organized about the year 1800. Other well- 
known facts point to this date as probably conclusive of the fact of 
organization. 

The first call for the services of a pastor was presented to Mr. Henry 
R. Wilson, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Carlisle, on the 6th of Octo- 
ber, 1802, at which time he was received under the care of the Presby- 
tery of Huntingdon, and, in accordance with the action then taken, was 
installed pastor of the united congregations of Bellefonte and Lick Run 
on the 20th of April, 1 803, at which time the Presbytery met in Belle- 
fonte. He served these churches with acceptance and success until the 
fall of 1809, having been at that time appointed to a professorship in 
Dickinson College. Upon his first application for a dissolution of the 
pastoral relation, both of his congregations opposed it, and it was for a 
time denied by the Presbytery. Persisting in his desire for a return to 
the Presbytery of Carlisle, however, his wishes were finally acquiesced 
in by the Presbytery, and the pastoral relation was dissolved. 

Rev. James Linn, the son of a Presbyterian clergyman, who had 
been licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Carlisle in the fall of 1808, 
having been invited to visit the congregations of Spruce Creek and Sink- 
ing Valley, was incidentally advised that the people of Bellefonte were 
anxious to have him preach for them. Without a single acquaintance in 
the town, and with no special invitation addressed to him directly, he 
visited the congregations of Bellefonte and Lick Run, was most cordially 
received by the people, and was in a short time called to the pastorate 
of both churches with practical unanimity. The salary of his predecessor 
had been four hundred dollars. The churches offered Mr. Linn five 
hundred dollars, two hundred and eighty dollars of which was to be paid 
by Bellefonte and two hundred and twenty dollars by Lick Run, his time 



126 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

to be divided in proportion to the salary paid. On the loth of April, 
1810, Mr. Linn was duly ordained and installed the pastor of both 
churches. This relation continued without interruption until November 
I, 1839, when the connection of Lick Run and Bellefonte in the support 
of a pastor was dissolved, and Mr. Linn, by a unanimous call from the 
Church of Bellefonte, became its pastor. 

On the 5th of October, 1859, the Presbytery of Huntingdon met at 
Bellefonte, and, in connection with its meeting, a special service com- 
memorative of the semi-centennial of the pastorate of Dr. Linn was held. 
At that service Dr. Linn presented a narrative of fifty years in the min- 
istry, covering the period of his pastorate of the Church of Bellefonte. 
Rev. D. X. Junkin, D.D., of HoUidaysburg, preached from the text, 
" Ebenezer, hitherto hath the Lord helped us." Dr. Junkin was also the 
author of a Jubilee Hymn sung to the tune " Zion" upon the occasion. 

HYMN OF JUBILEE. 

Come, thou gracious King of glory. 

In this hour of jubilee : 
"Whilst we tell the grateful story 

Of deliv'rance wrought by thee, 
Be thou present. 

Bid us now thy glory see ! 

Bow thine ear, God of our fathers. 

To our glowing songs of praise. 
Warming still, as mem'ry gathers 

Grateful themes from other days : 
Lord, we praise thee, 

For thy grace in by-gone days. 

Thanks we give for ceaseless favors 

Following us these fifty years ! 
Thine is love that never wavers. 

Beaming on, through smiles and tears ! 
Jubilate, 

Praise the grace of fifty years ! 

Thanks we give, that thou hast planted 

On this mount a chosen vine ; 
Gracious rain and sunshine granted, 

Hedged it round, and called it thine. 
Gathering from it 

Clustering grapes and generous wine ! 




BEI.LEFONTE. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 12/ 

Thanks we give that no disaster 

Has laid waste thy heritage ; 
That our venerated pastor, 

As va youth, so now in age. 
Tells of Jesus 

And the heavenly heritage ! 

May his life, O Lord, be precious; 

Spare him to this trusting flock. 
May his teachings long refresh us, — 

Lead us to the sheltering Rock. 
Saviour, bless him. 

Who so long has fed this flock ! 

And when, all his labors ended. 

Life's last ebbing sands are told, 
May the flock he so long tended 

Meet him in the heavenly fold ; 
There to praise thee, 

Whilst eternal years are rolled ! 

Dr. Linn continued to serve the church as pastor, although repeatedly 
warned by advancing years and the failure of his physical strength that 
the demands of the pastorate were too great. As a consequence. Rev. 
Joseph H. Barnard, then pastor of the churches of Tyrone, Birmingham, 
and Logan's Valley, was called as co-pastor in October, i860; and, on 
the 2d of January, 1 861, was duly installed as Dr. Linn's assistant. He 
served in that capacity with great acceptance and usefulness, Dr. Linn 
occasionally preaching, until the 21st of June, 1866, when, at his request, 
the relation between himself as co-pastor and the Church of Bellefonte 
was dissolved. In the fall of the same year Rev. Alfred Yeomans, then 
pastor of a church at Rochester, New York, was called as co-pastor, and 
was installed by Presbytery, January 3, 1867. 

On the 23d of February, 1868, Dr. Linn died, in the eighty-fifth year 
of his age, having been pastor of this church for fifty-eight years, and 
having never had any other pastoral charge, except as he served the 
Church of Lick Run in connection with Bellefonte, — a pastoral connec- 
tion which is unique in the history of the Presbytery. 

On the 22d of December, 1868, upon the death of Dr. Linn, Mr. 
Yeomans became pastor of the church ; and, on the 22d of December, 
1868, resigned in order to accept the pastorate of the Central Church at 
Orange, New Jersey, made vacant by the untimely death of his elder 
brother. Dr. Edward Yeomans. 



128 ■ THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

In the fall of the year 1869 a call was extended to Rev. W. T. Wylie, 
who had been licensed and ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia 
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1853, and was at the time pastor 
of the Second Presbyterian Church at New Castle, Pennsylvania. This 
call remained in the hands of the Presbytery until December following, 
when it was accepted by Mr. Wylie, and in the following June, upon the 
completion of the present church building and immediately prior to the 
meeting for organization of the Synod of Harrisburg, he was installed 
pastor of the church. This relation continued until 1876, when it was 
dissolved at the request of Mr. Wylie, in order to enable him to accept 
the presidency of Wilson College. 

In the fall of 1876, Rev. William Laurie, who had been licensed and 
ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia and was then supplying the 
Presbyterian Church at Penn Yan, New York, was called to the pastorate 
of the church ; and, on the 26th of December, he was duly installed. 
Dr. Laurie's pastorate, which still continues, has been fruitful of good 
works. The membership of the church has steadily increased, a con- 
venient and commodious stone chapel has been built, the parsonage has 
been enlarged, and recently the main auditorium of the church has been 
remodelled and beautified, one of the additions being a fine pipe organ 
purchased in large part by the ladies of the congregation. 

From the organization of the church until the year 18 19 the con- 
gregation worshipped in the court-house. In that year a square stone 
church building was erected on the site of the present edifice. About 
the year 1839 this building was taken down and a new and enlarged edifice 
erected upon the same site, whose Doric columns were the admiration 
of the lovers of classic architecture in that day. During the pastorate 
of Rev. Mr. Yeomans, in 1868, an effort was made to enlarge this edifice 
to accommodate the growing congregations, but in removing the walls 
they were found to be unfit for the purpose, and the building was taken 
down and the present church edifice erected in its stead. The corner- 
stone of this building was laid by Mr. Yeomans the day upon which he 
received the invitation to visit Orange with a view of taking up the work 
which had been so seriously interrupted by the death of his brother. 

The first Session of the Church of Bellefonte consisted of Colonel 
James Dunlop, James Harris, Robert Boggs, and James Foster, the first 
two the founders and principal promoters of Bellefonte. During the 
pastorate of Mr. Wilson there were added to the Session at different 
times James Steel, George Williams, J. G. Lowrie, and Joseph Williams. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 29 

During the pastorate of Dr. Linn there were added at different times to 
the Session WiUiam Alexander, Hamilton Humes, Thomas McKee, Henry- 
Van Dyke, James Irvin, James Harris, Jr., William Baird, Thomas M. 
Giffen, J. H. Linn, Samuel Linn, James Harris, H. N. McAUister, E. C. 
Humes, and A. O. Furst. In 1873, during the pastorate of Mr. Wylie, 
James L. Sommerville, James A. Beaver, and Isaac Loss were added to 
the Session, and subsequently, during the pastorate of Dr. Laurie, J. C. 
Weaver, George L. Potter, and Samuel Sheffer have been duly elected 
and ordained as elders. 

About the year 1869 new churches were organized at Milesburg and 
Buffalo Run, whose membership for the most part consisted of colonies 
from the parent church at Bellefonte. Notwithstanding these withdrawals, 
the church has steadily gained in membership, influence, beneficence, and 
activity. When Dr. Linn began his service in the church in 1809 the 
membership was about fifty. It now numbers about four hundred. 

The first Sabbath-school organized in Bellefonte, October, 18 18, was 
connected with this church, although called at the time " The Bellefonte 
Sabbath-Day School Association." John G. Lowrie was its superin- 
tendent, and remained so for many years, who, in addition to his office 
as elder, from the year 1805 to the year 1840, when the congregation 
entered its new church edifice, faithfully performed all the duties of 
sexton, clerk, collector, and treasurer of the congregation without 
charge. Dr. Linn, the pastor of the church, at times acted as superin- 
tendent, his assistants being at different times Hon. Samuel Linn, James 
A. Beaver, James Harris, and A. O. Furst. General James A. Beaver 
was elected superintendent in 1865, and continued uninterruptedly as the 
superintendent for twenty-two years. In 1886, in consequence of his 
election as governor of the Commonwealth, J. W. Gephart was elected 
superintendent, and has continued in that position ever since. 

This church was one of the early contributors to missions, its con- 
tribution of fifteen dollars to the missionary work of the church being, 
in 1 8 10, the only contribution from the Presbytery for that object. It 
has been faithfully instructed in the duty of Christian beneficence, and 
to this continued faithful instruction is due the reasonably faithful dis- 
charge of duty which is shown by its offerings for this purpose. 

This sketch would not be complete without making special mention 
of the Ladies' Home and Foreign Missionary Societies, both of which 
are doing efficient service in the causes which they represent respectively, 
and of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, which, in ad- 

9 



130 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

dition to its other work, has organized a special effort for providing for 
the support of a missionary in Laos. 

A. O. FURST. 



BETHEL. 



The church of Bethel was organized November 27, 1866; enrolled 
April 9, 1867. "Cottage" Church, at the same place, had been organ- 
ized in 1854, but disbanded May 30, 1866. Bethel has been served in 
connection with Petersburg by the same pastors and supplies. B. F. 
Brown was an elder, also Mr. Lightner and others. Elmer Davis and 
L. Armstrong are the elders now. Its membership is thirty-two. 

R. F. Wilson. 



BEULAH. 



The church of Beulah was organized May 18, 1859, with twenty- 
two members, two of whom are still members, — Mr. and Mrs. G. W. 
McCuUy. William Hegarty, William McCullough, and George W. 
McCully were elected ruling elders. 

Beulah Church is the outgrowth of a long series of dissensions in 
the Mount Pleasant Cross-Roads Presbyterian Church between some 
members of the Session and a large part of the congregation. 

Previous to the organization a lot had been secured and a building 
committee appointed and all necessary arrangements for the erection of 
a house of worship. The date of the dedication of this building could 
not be ascertained, but it was some time in the latter part of i860. 

In the fall of 1893 the congregation began the erection of a new 
church building on a site in the town of Ramey. The old building was 
a mile from town, which had been built many years after the location of 
the church. This building was dedicated May 6, 1894, and was destroyed 
by fire January 27, 1895. The erection of a new building almost the 
same in design as the one burned was begun May i, and is now nearing 
completion. 

Rev. William M. Burchfield supplied this church a few months in 
1861. Rev. A. H. Halloway served as its first pastor from 1863 to 1867. - 
Rev. William Prideaux was stated supply from 1868 to April I, 1872. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 131 

A call was made out October i, 1873, for Mr. William Gemmill, a 
licentiate of Huntingdon Presbytery, which was accepted, and he was 
soon afterwards ordained and installed as pastor, and remained until June, 
1887. Mr. A. L. R. Waite, a licentiate of New Brunswick, was called 
as pastor, and was ordained and installed by Presbytery June 12, 1888; 
he was dismissed April, 1889. Rev. L. L. Haughawant was stated 
supply March i, 1890, to March i, 189 1. Rev. H. D. Rex was stated 
supply April i, 1892, to April i, 1893. The present pastor, Rev. J. E. 
Giffen, was called December 9, 1893, and began his ministrations January, 
1894; installed May 5, 1894. 

Of the three original elders, G. W. McCully is still a member of 
Session and the clerk of Session. William Hegarty died October 23, 
1890. William McCullough ceased to act June 25, 1870, on account of 
age and infirmity. 

James Cornely, William H. Edwards, M.D., and Joseph McCullough 
were ordained and installed. Mr. Cornely was dismissed to Madera 
Presbyterian Church at its organization, June 29, 1894. Dr. Edwards 
was dismissed to Tyrone December 24, 1875. Joseph McCullough died 
May II, 1893. 

William B. Whiteside and Thomas Mathers were ordained and in- 
stalled March 31, 1877, Mr. Whiteside was dismissed to Johnson City, 
Tennessee, November 27, 1885. Mr. Mathers fell under the power of 
intoxicants and was suspended June 29, 1883. 

Isaac Hagerty, T. A. Prideaux, and J. C. Mullen were ordained and 
installed April 3, 1886. Mr. Hagerty was dismissed to Madera Presby- 
terian Church at its organization, June 29, 1894. 

The Session now is composed of Elders McCully, Prideaux, and 
Mullen. 

The church has sixty-nine members at the present time. 

A few years after organization the congregation built a parsonage 
near the church building, and this parsonage was burned in March, 1894. 

J. E. Giffen. 



BIRMINGHAM AND WARRIOR'S MARK. 

The church at Birmingham was organized by the Huntingdon Pres- 
bytery on May 16, 1835. The name at the organization was the Bir- 
mingham Presbyterian Church, which name remains unchanged. 



132 _ THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

There were sixty-seven members at the time of the organization. 
The present membership is one hundred and eighty. 

The Rev. Samuel Hill became the first stated supply in June, 1835. 
During his ministry the congregation undertook the work of erecting a 
house of worship, — a house forty-five by fifty-four feet, and capable of 
seating about three hundred people. This building served the needs of 
the congregation from 1837 to 1869, when the present church was reared. 

We quote from an historical discourse preached by the Rev. S. T. 
Wilson, D.D., " The only memorandum of this church building which 
has come down to us is a record of five lines on the cover of the origi- 
nal book of Sessional Records in the handwriting of Mr. John Owens 
(for many years clerk of the Session), which says, ' The Presbyterian 
Church in the Borough of Birmingham was dedicated to Almighty God 
by suitable religious services by Rev. Samuel Hill, on the 23d day of 
July, in the year of our Lord 1837. And his text on the occasion was 
from the second chapter of Haggai, and first clause of the ninth verse, 
' The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former.' 

" When it is remembered that they were just coming up, on this happy 
occasion, from the old Baptist church, where they had been holding 
their services since the organization, to this their own new Presbyterian 
church, one wonders whether or not so grave a man as Mr. Hill could 
possibly have indulged himself in a little dry Irish humor in the selection 
of this text." 

After a period of great depression and discouragement from 1845 to 
1857, during which many members removed from the region or became 
lax in their religious duties, the church was reorganized June 12, 1858, 
by the Rev. A. D. Happer, D.D., a missionary from China, who was re- 
cuperating in Pennsylvania. Total membership at this reorganization 
forty-eight, including nine of the original sixty-seven, and sixteen re- 
ceived on that day. From this period Warrior's Mark has been regarded 
as a part of the Birmingham field. 

A full history of the Birmingham Church must therefore include a 
record of the work at Warrior's Mark. This place, as early as 1786, was 
a missionary point, and was supplied by appointments from the Presby- 
tery of Carlisle. In the records are found the names of a Mr. Caldwell, 
a probationer, Rev. Matthew Stevens, and Mr. Samuel Wilson, a licentiate 
of the Presbytery. In April, 1789, the Warrior's Mark congregation 
united with those of East and West Penn's Valley and Half Moon in 
calling as their pastor the Rev. James Martin, who continued with them 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 33 

for about six years, when he gave up the Warrior's Mark and Half Moon 
end of the charge. 

During a portion of 1794 the congregations were supplied by the 
Rev. James Johnson, Rev. John Johnson, and two young licentiates, 
Wiley and McLean. 

In 1796 Warrior's Mark was joined with the Spruce Creek and Sink- 
ing Valley congregations as a field to be supplied by Presbytery. In 
1798 Spruce Creek and Sinking Valley united in calling a pastor for 
themselves, leaving out the Warrior's Mark congregation, after which it 
became extinct. 

Without any positive data to go upon, it is supposed that during the 
early part of the Rev. James Martin's ministry a little log church was 
erected in what is now called " Dry Hollow," about two miles east of 
the present Valley of Warrior's Mark. This building was destroyed by 
a fire breaking out in " the barrens" which then surrounded the church. 
The site can now be identified on the farm of Mr. Ellenbarger, his log 
farm-house being about one hundred feet back of the point where the 
old church stood, his barn one hundred feet in front of it. There is an 
oak-tree immediately west of it, and an old unfailing spring, from which 
the worshippers often drank, and the only one in " Dry Hollow," about 
three hundred feet to the northwest. 

About 1857 the Rev. John Elliott, while doing missionary work in 
the Presbytery, visited Warrior's Mark and, after preaching several times, 
consented to spend the summer laboring for the Tyrone and Warrior's 
Mark people. 

Since 1858 Warrior's Mark has been regarded in such a sense a part 
of the Birmingham field as to have given to it a certain part of the 
public services, the Baptist people there kindly yielding the use of their 
church building, as they had done at Birmingham years before. 

During the pastorate of the Rev. W. A. Hooper a very important 
addition was made to the eldership of the church. " On the 6th of Janu- 
ary, 1862, J. R. Lowrie, Esq., son of Hon. Walter Lowrie, the first sec- 
retary of the Board of Foreign Missions, was ordained and installed in 
that ofifice. With his residence at Warrior's Mark, this act of the congre- 
gation clothing him with the functions of the eldership opened the way 
for all his practical tact and Christian energy to work, and work effec- 
tively, in that outlying portion of the congregation." 

In the fall of 1866 a pleasant and commodious chapel was completed 
at Warrior's Mark at a cost of about five thousand dollars. This attrac- 



134 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

tive-looking sanctuary, so recently repainted and put in perfect repair, is 
the true successor of the old log church in " Dry Hollow," which was 
burned so many years ago. 

The Mountain Seminary has been so closely connected with the life 
and progress of the Birmingham Church that a brief history of this 
institution is absolutely necessary. 

The first and main building of the Mountain Seminary was erected 
by a corporation of stockholders, in 185 i, on a donated tract of land 
comprising about three acres on the southwest slope of the Birmingham 
ridge. 

The school was opened and conducted under the principalship of 
the Rev. Israel Ward, but failed to sustain itself pecuniarily, and the 
property was sold at sheriff's sale in 1855, the purchaser being John 
McPherron, Sr., of Eden Valley, who resold it in 1857 to L. G. Grier, a 
recent graduate of Lafayette'CoUege, where he was intimately associated 
with Samuel Gayley and Charles R. Mills, both of whom have since laid 
down their lives in the Master's service in China. 

With Mr. Grier came his wife and Miss N. J. Davis, a graduate of 
the class of 1856 in Mount Holyoke College. Large faith and small 
pecuniary means characterized the trio that alighted from the train 
October 27, 1857. Descending a steep flight of steps leading from the 
Birmingham station, they proceeded to cross the Juniata on a narrow 
foot-bridge, in lieu of the usual row-boat transportation, for the present 
" old bridge" had then not even an " airy habitation" in the brain of the 
architect. 

It was not the intention of the principals to open the seminary to 
pupils before the following May, but an unexpected application for ad- 
mittance from six girls was not refused, and the winter was spent in 
teaching and preparing for the formal opening in the spring. 

The presence of a pastor over the village church would have assisted 
the new enterprise, but the church was desolate, and there was none of 
whom to ask counsel or prayers. Four or five sermons preached by the 
Rev. Moses Floyd, at the invitation of Mr. Grier, constituted all the 
church privileges enjoyed for at least four months. However, the May 
sunshine brought light. The school opened with encouraging prospects, 
and permission was obtained from Presbytery to supply the church with 
the selection of Dr. Happer, a returned missionary from China. 

From this time the church and school have been so vitally connected 
that it is almost impossible to give the history of either separately. 











.^^V/A/^T- 




BIRMINGHAM. PASTOR AND ELDERS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 35 

A wonderful awakening resulted from his efforts in the school and 
church. A weekly prayer-meeting, composed of the pupils and two 
lady teachers, was organized, aside from the regular Wednesday church 
prayer-meeting, which was organized with the school and held in the 
school hall. 

In a iew weeks ten out of twelve pupils who were not professing 
Christians were rejoicing, though tremblingly, in a new-found Saviour, 
and professors, who had been careless, were rebaptized with the power 
of the Holy Spirit. 

On the day of the reorganization of the church, June 12, 1858, Mr. 
Grier was chosen to be a ruling elder in the church. What his life was 
to the school and church can be read in the hearts of all who came under 
his influence. 

The next term opened October 28 with an increase in the number of 
pupils and one addition to the faculty, a teacher of drawing. 

The faithful ministrations of Dr. Happer in the church and school 
were followed by a deep seriousness, and subsequently, in the early part 
of December, during a series of religious meetings, eleven pupils began 
to inquire the " Way of Life," all of whom afterwards united with the 
church here or at their homes. 

In May, 1859, Dr. Happer left for his foreign field of work, and before 
his departure a " Foreign Mission Band" was organized in the seminary 
(perhaps one of the first in the Presbytery), which has continued to the 
present to hold monthly meetings, and to contribute, on an average, one 
hundred dollars yearly to foreign missions. This Band has also repre- 
sentatives in the foreign and home fields, — India, Japan, China, New 
Mexico, Dakota. So much for the organization of the school. 

The superstructure has not been unworthy of the foundation. Im- 
provements were made as the finances permitted. Year by year more 
ground was purchased and beautified with rare and stately trees, until 
the original three acres have expanded into a hundred, and the barren 
hill-side of 1858 has become the beautiful park, with winding walks and 
shaded drives, of 1895. 

The original building has been transformed by the hand of modern 
improvement. Four others have been erected. 

The number of the faculty has been increased to seven. The courses 
of study have kept pace with the requirements of the times. 

Three courses for graduation have been arranged, one of which is a 
college-preparatory, and from which pupils have entered Bucknell, the 



136 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Woman's College, Baltimore, University of Pennsylvania, Wellesley, 
Bryn Mawr, and Michigan University. A few boys from time to time, 
as special cases, have been trained for college, and have taken high rank 
in Williams, Wooster, Washington, and Princeton. Thousands have 
gone out from the class-rooms to the battle of life, some to preach the 
gospel of Christ, others to live it in the quiet of their homes, all, we 
hope, the better for the care and training of their Alma Mater. 

The chosen life-work of Dr. Grier was laid down after thirty busy, 
prayerful years. May 8, 1887, since which time the school has been con- 
ducted on the same principles as before by Miss N. J. Davis as principal. 
A. R. Grier (son of Dr. Grier) is business manager. 

During the ministry of the Rev. I. H. Stevenson the Session was 
encouraged to devise larger and better things for the Birmingham 
Church; and, as a result, the present sanctuary was built in 1868 and 
1869 at a cost of seven thousand dollars. It is one of the neatest and 
best church buildings, for its cost, in the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and 
reflects honor not only " upon the people who bore the burden of its 
cost, but also upon the building committee, consisting of Messrs. L. G. 
Grier, S. C. Stewart, and Samuel Thompson, for the thoroughness and 
economy secured to them in the work." 

During the ministry of Rev. S. T. Wilson, D.D., in 1876, there were 
two hundred and four members on the church roll, the largest number 
in the history of the church. The largest number of additions to the 
church during any one year of its existence was in 1 881, when Rev. J. 
J. Francis, D.D., was pastor, when fifty-eight were received (forty-nine 
on examination and nine on certificate). Twice during this pastorate, the 
Church contributed over one thousand dollars for foreign missions. 

At this time the church secured, through the generosity of Elders S. 
C. Stewart and J. R. Lowrie, the deed to the comfortable parsonage 
which adjoins the Birmingham Church. 

The present pastor, Rev. H. H. Henry, began his work November, 
1889. 

At this date (1895) the Sunday-school at Birmingham is full and well 
manned by a corps of most earnest teachers under the superintendent, S. C. 
Stewart, Esq., an elder of twenty-five years' service, whose love and zeal 
and personal sacrifice for the church have endeared him to all its members. 

At Warrior's Mark is another well-organized Sunday-school under 
the care of Dr. T. C. Peterson, a consecrated, enthusiastic, and devoted 
elder of six years' experience. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



137 



The Birmingham Church possesses a most enthusiastic Christian 
Endeavor Society, which is like a right hand to the pastor in all church 
work. The Junior Christian Endeavor Society is also a model in its way. 

All missionary effort in this church is earnest and practical. The 
Ladies' Society at the Warrior's Mark end of the parish has the honor of 
having given to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Hun- 
tingdon Presbytery its efficient, whole-souled president, Miss S. R. 
Lowrie. For many years the sum raised in this church for foreign 
missions has ranged from six hundred dollars to one thousand dollars, 
making an average of from three to six dollars per member. 

For years the Birmingham Church has been classed among the first 
in the Presbytery for its contributions to the boards of the church. 

The faculty and students of the Mountain Seminary, who worship 
in the Birmingham Church, add not a little to its attractiveness by the 
presence of bright faces and melodious voices. 



CONNECTIONS OF THE BIRMINGHAM-WARRIOR S MARK CONGREGATIONS WITH 
OTHER CHURCHES IN THE PRESBYTERY. 
Year. Churches. 

1789-94 Warrior's Mark with East and W^est Penn's Valley and Half Moon. 

1794 Warrior's Mark and Half Moon. 

1796 Warrior's Mark and Spruce Creek and Sinking Valley. 

1835-57 Birmingham and Spruce Creek. 

1857 Warrior's Mark and Tyrone. 

1858-59 Birmingham, Warrior's Mark, and Tyrone. 

1859-60 Birmingham, Warrior's Mark, Tyrone, and Logan's Valley. 

1861-67 Birmingham, Warrior's Mark, and Tyrone. 

1868-95 Birmingham and Warrior's Mark. 

MINISTERS WHO HAVE SERVED THIS PARISH. 
Name. Installed. Dismissed. Died. 

Rev. Samuel Hill, S.S June, 1835. 1843. Date unknown. 

Rev. John White, S.S Spring, 1843. Spring, 1848. Date unknown. 

Rev. Israel Ward, S.S May, 1849. Spring, 1857. Date unknown. 

Rev. Andrew P. Happer, D.D., S.S. . . May 6, 1858. May, 1859. Oct. 7, 1894. 

Rev. David Sterrett, S.S. May, 1859. May, i860. Date unknown. 

Rev. Joseph H. Barnard, P June 12, i860. Dec. 27, i860. 

Rev. W. A. Hooper, P Nov. 17, 1861. April 13, 1864. 

Rev. John H. Clark, S.S Oct. 9, 1868. June, 1867. Sept. 23, 1870. 

Rev. Joseph H. Stevenson, P. .... June 19, 1868. October, 1869. 

Rev. Samuel T. Wilson, D.D., P. . . . July, 1872. Oct. 19, 1878. Oct. 5, 1893. 

Rev. J. J. Francis, D.D., P Nov. 19, 1879. May 14, 1885. 

Rev. Charles E. Craven, P June 18, 1886. Oct. 21, 1888. 

Rev. Harry H. Henry, P May 20, 1890. 



138 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY. 

Charles A. Patton, Senior of Princeton. 

Geo. A. Dickson, '94, Washington and Jefferson. 

Walter Lowrie, '94, Princeton. 



ELDERS. 

James Boggs Installed May 16, 1 83 5. 

John Owens Installed May 16, 1835. 

John McPherron Installed May 16, 1835. 

James Wilson Installed May 16, 1835. 

Lemuel G. Grier Installed June 20, 1858. 

J. Robert Lowrie Installed January 5, 1862. 

John Wrye Installed May 31, 1868. 

David Rabold Installed February 27, 188 

William B. Fetterhoof .... Installed February 27, 188 



Died February 28, 1839. 
Died July 24, 1880. 
Died August 10, i860. 
Moved West 1840. 
Died May 9, 1887. 
Died December 10, 1885, 
Died December 14, 1869. 
Moved to Altoona, 1892. 
Died February 8, 1888. 



PRESENT ELDERS. 

Samuel Calhoun Stewart Installed February 30, 1 87 1. 

Dr. T. C. Peterson Installed February 24, 1889. 

James Wood Smith Installed February 24, 1889. 



DEACONS. 

Zaccheus Lower Ordained September 9, 1874. 

Robert Jackson Ordained September 9, 1874. 

Gideon Ganoe Ordained September 9, 1874. 

Alexander G. Morris 

William C. Gensimore .... Ordained September 27, 1874. 
Andrew Robeson Ordained September 27, 1874. 



Deposed February 8, 1888. 
Dismissed March 16, 1877. 
Ceased October 18, 1879. 
Dismissed April 5, 1883. 



TRUSTEES. 

Andrew Robeson Bii 

Paul L. Wolfe Bii 

A. R. Grier Bii 

William L. Rider Warrior's Mark. 

John T. Patton Warrior's Mark. 

Gottlieb Rabold 



rmingham. 
mingham. 
rmingham. 



Warrior's Mark. 



TREASURER. 
Andrew Robeson. 



H. H. Henry. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 39 



BRADFORD. 

The old church was built in or about the year 1830, for I heard 
father say he went to church there when a young man (and went bare- 
footed). It is situated in the middle of our cemetery; is in size twenty- 
four by thirty feet, and was used as a Union church by Lutherans and 
Presbyterians, the Presbyterians using it the last ten years it was in use 
for church service. We have had it repaired, and it is used for funeral 
services by all denominations. It is the oldest church in our township. 
It has been the place of many good and refreshing times, which our 
fathers and mothers could testify to if living, and some of us who are 
younger could do the same; for your humble servant made his first 
confession of Christ and went before the Session, a trembling boy, to 
answer the questions of examination, thirty years ago, with two others 
(ladies) ; one has passed over ; the other lives in Lancaster. 

The new church in Bigler was built about the year 1872, and dedi- 
cated on Christmas-day. It is a studding building, plastered and papered 
inside ; size thirty-two by forty-six feet ; has a vestibule, little side-rooms 
on each side of the vestibule, with belfry overhead, which has a bell 
presented by a Mr. Morgan, of Philipsburg, on account of his mother 
being buried in the cemetery near by. 

It is seated by three rows of pews ; the aisles have matting ; carpet 
is placed around and on the pulpit. A little Loring & Blake organ is 
used to assist the people in singing songs of praise. A fence is built in 
front of the church. The yard is decorated with arbor-vitae-trees. The 
church is capable of seating comfortably two hundred and fifty people. 
It cost about three thousand dollars, as near as I can tell. 

The first pastors, from what I remembered from what my parents 
said, were Rev. Betts, Mervin, and Cooper. Those were, so far as I 
know, the pioneer preachers.^ They preached from about the year 1845 
to 1856 or 1857. Later came Rev. Clark. About the year 1863 or 
1864 came Rev. W. O. Wright (now of Milesburg), under whose min- 
istry the church was greatly revived. About 1868 came Rev. William 
Prideaux (who now lives in Huntingdon), who preached for us two or 
three years. Then came Rev. John H. Sargent, who was our pastor till 
April, 1875. Then we were supplied by different ministers for one year 
or probably more ; I cannot name them, as they are not on record, ex- 
cept two or three, Rev. J. H. Mathers and Rev. D. H. Campbell ; the 



I40 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

latter was sent as a supply in October, 1876. He held a series of meet- 
ings, the outgrowth of which was a revival, when seventeen were added 
to the church by examination and three by letter. 

We were supplied until April, 1878, when Rev. E. P. Foresman was 
called as pastor for our church, and installed June 7, the same year. He 
labored among us until the year 1883, when his pastorate was dissolved, 
he going west. He was followed by Rev. Harvey Shaw, who preached 
over a year. Then came Rev. William Kuhn as a stated supply from 
1885 to 1887. He was followed by Rev. George Chappell, who preached 
a year in our midst, then Presbytery gave us into the care of Rev. R. A. 
McKinley, who broke to us the bread of life until October, 1895. 

Our first ruling elders were Angus M. Gill and George J. Kylar, who 
were ordained about the year 1845. Francis Pearce (my father) was 
ordained in or about 1850, Dr. F. B. Read and S. A. Caldwell in 1871, 
and your humble servant in 1891. 

Our church was organized about the year 1845, and since that time 
there have belonged to it and the organizations that have sprung from 
it (Woodland, Gillingham, and Pleasant Hill) one hundred inembers. 
There have been removed, by death twenty-eight, by removal forty-six, 
by other organizations twenty-three, remaining seven. The last figure 
is a sad one. Oh, I hope and pray, as the history of our church unfolds 
itself in coming time, our record will be better ; that the good Lord, 
who has always opened the way for us, will still bless and revive his 
church. 

The pioneers of our church were George S. Kylar and wife Catharine, 
Angus M. Gill and wife Mary, Francis Pearce and wife Hannah, John 
Kline and wife Elizabeth. 

John L. Pearce. 



BUFFALO RUN. 

The Presbyterian Church of Buffalo Run was organized pursuant to 
an act of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, February, 1871, by a com- 
mittee of Presbytery composed of Dr. Robert Hamill and William T. 
Wiley, ministers, and H. N. McAllister, ruling elder. The organization 
consisted of twenty-seven members received from the churches of Spring 
Creek and Bellefonte. Joseph M. Wilson, Richard Conley, and William. 
F. Thompson were chosen ruling elders, and were properly set apart to 
the sacred office. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 14I 

The church has, for the most of its time since its organization to the 
present, enjoyed the stated means of grace, under the faithful labors of a 
regular pastor or a stated supply, and has gradually increased until, with 
all the changes, by death and dismissal, through which it has passed in 
these intervening years, it now numbers fifty members. 

CHURCH BUILDING. 

The congregation erected a neat edifice in 1870 before the organiza- 
tion was effected, at a cost of two thousand dollars, which was paid for 
and appropriately dedicated as a house of God. In this building, 
which has served them for twenty-five years, they still worship. 



The church from 187 1 to 1874 was served by students from the 
Theological Seminary at Princeton, by occasional supplies appointed by 
Presbytery, and by neighboring pastors. 

In November, 1875, the Rev. J. V. R. Hughes was called as pastor, 
and was installed on November 19, 1875. He continued to serve the 
church as pastor until April, 1878, when at his request the relation was 
dissolved. 

Mr. Hughes was succeeded by the Rev. W. O. Wright as stated 
supply, from April, 1878, to October, 1880. 

The Rev. W. C. Kuhn then served as stated supply until April, 1882. 
He was succeeded by Rev. William Prideaux from October, 1882, to 
October, 1885. 

In November, 1886, Rev. George Elliott was called as pastor for one- 
third of his time, and, accepting the call, was duly installed. He sus- 
tained the relation until March, 1895, when he was removed by death. 

These brethren each in his order did faithful work ; no one more 
acceptably and profitably than their late pastor, Mr. Elliott, who filled 
his post of duty well for over nine years, and who in his death was 
sorely lamented by a cordial and loving people. 

RULING ELDERS. 

Joseph M. Wilson, Richard Conley, and William F. Thompson were 
chosen elders at the organization of the church in 1871. Mr. Wilson 
served until 1876, Mr. Conley until 1880, Mr. Thompson until 1888. 

In 1876 Joseph W. Marshall was chosen, and in 1890 John P. Seibert 
Mr. Marshall and Mr. Seibert constitute the Session at present. Both of 



142 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

these elders have proved their fitness for the office by the prudence and 
fidelity with which they have served the church that placed upon them 
its responsibility and honor. 

Robert Hamill. 



CLEARFIELD. 



Clearfield County was settled by persons of Scotch-Irish descent 
and of Presbyterian proclivities. The first Presbyterian preaching in 
this county was under the direction of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, in 
1803, by Rev. William Stewart and Rev. Henry R. Wilson. For some 
time thereafter supplies were appointed to preach two or three times a 
year. In 1806 the General Assembly sent fifty copies of the Shorter 
Catechism to the Presbytery for distribution in this region. Chinclecla- 
moose, or Old Town, or Clearfield, received twenty-five of these. At the 
request of the people in 18 12, Revs. Bard, Stewart, and Linn were sent 
one Sabbath each into this county as supplies. 

The precise date of the organization of the Clearfield Church is not 
obtainable. It was in existence in 18 19 with Hugh Jordan and Archi- 
bald Shaw as ruling elders. The following is the succession of pastors, 
the first six being at the same time pastors of the Pike, or Curwensville, 
congregation : 

Name. Year. 

Rev. Garry Bishop, M.D 1826-1834, 

Rev. Frederick G. Belts 1840-1845 

Rev. Samuel N. Howell 1845-1847 

Rev. Miles T. Merwin 1848-1853 

Rev. Samuel M. Cooper 1853-1855 

Rev. John M. Galloway 1858-1864 

Rev. James G. Archer 1865-I 

Rev. Henry S. Butler, D.D 1869-1884, 

Rev. Russell A. McKinley, D.D., Ph.D 1884-1895 

Of the above ministers the following died while pastors at Clearfield : 
Rev. Frederick G. Betts, Rev. John M. Galloway, and Rev. James G. 
Archer. The latter was killed in a railway disaster near Pittsburg. 

Between the pastorates of Messrs. Bishop and Betts there were six 




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CLEARFIELD. 



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• * 











CLEARFIELD. PASTOR AND ELDERS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 43 

years in which this church was supphed by home missionaries, among 
whom were Revs. J. B. Payne and Edmund McKinney. 

The pastorate of Mr. Bishop was a day of small things. As addi- 
tional means of support he had to practise medicine in connection with 
his ministry. 

The pastorate of Mr. Betts was signalized by the erection of the first 
church building. Considering the difficult conditions under which he 
labored, he was eminently successful. He was taken away in the prime 
of his usefulness. His son, Hon. W. W. Betts, is still a member of the 
congregation, and one of Clearfield's successful business men. He has 
been a member of the State Senate. His family is one of the most 
important connected with the church. 

The pastorate of Mr. Galloway was characterized by more perfect 
organization and considerable addition to the membership. Owing to 
his untimely death, the pastorate of Mr. Archer was quite brief, but 
nevertheless bright and prosperous. It was characterized by a precious 
revival, in which forty additions were had at one time upon examination. 
The present large stone edifice was built during his pastorate at a cost 
of nearly fifty thousand dollars. It was erected under the immediate 
supervision of Elder William Bigler, who gave about two years of his 
time to this work. It remains a fine monument of the zeal and devotion 
of this distinguished man. 

The pastorate of Mr. Butler began with the occupation of the new 
church, which he found ready for dedication. It was attended by a 
steady growth and by a marked increase of the contributions to the 
benevolent work of the church at large. The membership increased 
from one hundred and ninety to two hundred and thirty-seven. 

Dr. R. A. McKinley resigned in the twelfth year of his pastorate. 
During his term the following material improvements have been made : 
the large church has been refrescoed and refitted throughout, a fine 
pipe-organ has been procured, a new and elegant chapel and also a 
mission chapel have been built. A marked feature of this pastorate has 
been the development of two missions, greatly adding to the pastor's 
labors and to the influence and prestige of the congregation. The 
membership has increased from two hundred and thirty-seven to five 
hundred and twenty-six, including one hundred and sixty-nine in the 
missions. The congregation is now in the third year of supporting a 
foreign missionary, Rev. F. E. Simcox, of China. 



144 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The following is the succession of elders in the Clearfield Church : 

Name. Year. 

Hugh Jordan 1818-1840. 

Archibald Shaw 1818-1843. 

John R. Read 1842-1856. 

James Irvin 1842-1887. 

Henry B. Smith 1852-1857. 

William Robertson , 1852-1859. 

Ashley M. Hills, D.D.S 1852. 

William Merrell 1859-1861. 

Moses Fulton .,,..., 1859-1865. 

Thompson Read 1859. 

Miles Read , 1865. 

John F. Weaver 1865. 

William Bigler 1872-1880. 

James B. Graham 1872-1883. 

Henry W. Park 1872-1895. 

John G. Hartswick, M.D 1872. 

Prof. B. C. Youngman 1892. 

Frank B. Read 1892. 

One of the first elders, Hon, Hugh Jordan, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, and served throughout the entire struggle. At the 
time of his death he was associate judge of Clearfield County. Another 
elder, Hon. William Bigler, was governor of the State, 1852-1855, and 
United States senator, 185 5-1 861. 

Among present members of the congregation who have been prom- 
inent in county, State, and national affairs are Hon. William A. Wallace, 
who has served four terms as State senator and one term as United States 
senator ; James Kerr, who has served one term as member of Congress 
and two terms as chief clerk of the House of Representatives; Hon. D. 
L. Krebs, who has served one term as judge of the court; and Hon. 
Cyrus Gordon, the leader of the choir, who is the present judge. 

It is worthy of mention that the following persons have served long 
terms as Sabbath-school superintendents : Henry B. Smith, Dr. A. M. 
Hills, Prof B. C. Youngman, and Frank B. Reed. 

The present pastor. Rev. R. A. McKinley, Ph.D., D.D., was graduated 
from Alleghany College in 1873, and from the Western Theological 
Seminary in 1876. In 1889 he received the degree of Ph.D. from the 
University of Wooster. He came to Clearfield from Bedford, Iowa, after 
a seven years' pastorate. He was moderator of the Synod of Iowa 
South in 1880. He served three years as stated clerk of the Presbytery 




CURWENSVILLE. PASTOR AND ELDERS. 



OF TBE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. I45 

of Council Bluffs. He is now the permanent clerk of the Presbytery of 
Huntingdon. 

R. A. McKlNLEY. 

Dr. McKinley was dismissed from Huntingdon Presbyteiy, October, 
1895, to accept a call from the First Church of Steubenville,'Ohio. 



COALPORT. 



CoALPORT Church is about two miles distant from Irvona. It has 
been usually united with the latter under one charge. This church was 
organized on the 21st of January, 1887, by a committee of the Hunting- 
don Presbytery, consisting of the Rev. J. H. Mathers, D.D., Rev. Wil- 
liam Prideaux, and Elder C. B. McKean. The new organization was 
composed of eighteen members, five of whom were received on exam- 
ination. 

W. J. Caldwell and E. R. Langill were chosen as ruling elders. The 
present eldership consists of W. J. Caldwell, W. F. Lydick, and W. R. 
Daudson. 

There is a Sabbath-school consisting of fifty-eight members. A 
Christian Endeavor Society has been recently reorganized, and an active 
Ladies' Aid Society exists. 

The congregation worships in a very comfortable little chapel with a 
seating capacity of two hundred. It cost two thousand dollars, and is 
free of debt. 

The following is the succession of pastors : Rev. J. J. Wolf, from 
1887 to 1889; Rev. F. T. Wheeler, 1889 to 1894; and Rev. William 
Gibb, 1895. 

William Gibb. 



CURWENSVILLE. 



It is to be regretted that so few records have been kept preserving 
the story of the earlier days of Presbyterianism in Clearfield County, 
and for this reason the history of the older churches must be brief and 
unsatisfactory. 

At the present time there are no known records furnishing the date 



146 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

of the organization of the church in this place. It would seem that as 
early as 1803 the attention of the Presbytery of Huntingdon was called 
to the rehgious destitution of this county, and the Rev. William Stuart, 
of Penn's Valley, was appointed " to visit Chincleclamoose," one day at 
his discretion and preach. A similar appointment was assigned to the 
Rev. Henry Wilson, of Bellefonte, and from that time supplies visited 
the neighborhood, preaching at various points as circumstances dictated, 
in private houses or in barns, the favorite places being at McClure's, two 
miles above, and at Bloom's barn, two miles below, Curwensville. 

The earliest knowledge of the church as a distinct. organization goes 
back to 1826, when the Rev. George Bishop, a graduate of Yale College 
and Princeton Seminary, was received from the Presbytery of Philadel- 
phia, and ordained and installed as pastor of the congregations of Clear- 
field and Curwensville, from which he was released in 1834. 

After a vacancy of six years, in 1840 Frederick G. Betts, a young 
licentiate, was appointed to supply the churches of Clearfield County, 
and in October of the same year was called to the united pastorate of 
Clearfield and Curwensville, where he labored till his death, January, 
1845. 

Succeeding Mr. Betts, the order of pastors occupying both pulpits 
is as follows : 

Name. Year. 

Samuel N. Howell 

Miles T. Merwin 

James J. Hamilton (Curwensville alone) 

John M. Galloway 

Curwensville alone: 

J. E. Kearns • . . . 

William M. Burchfield 

J. C. Grier (supply) 

J. Q. A. Fullerton 

W. C. McBeth 

Charles Herron 

David Elder Craighead 



1845- 


1847. 


1848-1853. 


1853- 


1855- 


1857- 


1864. 


1866- 


1868 


1869-1876. 


1878-1879. 


1879-1885. 


1885- 


1886. 


1886-1893. 


1894. 





Members of Session, in order, so far as known : Matthew Caldwell, 
James B. Caldwell, Boss Read, Henry Kunns, ordained 1866; G. Bishop 
Caldwell, ordained 1866 (deceased); John A. Read, ordained 1866; E. 
A. Irvin, ordained 1872; D. O. Crouch, ordained 1872; Jordan Read, 
ordained 1872; W. J. Caldwell, ordained 1872; James Spence, ordained 
1872; W. N.Dyer. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 47 

The first church building was erected during the pastorate of Rev. 
Garvy Bishop in 1827, and was used until 1843. It stood about two 
miles north of town, at a place known as McClure's Country. 

Under Mr. Betts the first building on the present site was erected, 
in 1843, which was used until 1869, when it was replaced by the present 
structure, a handsome stone building in the Gothic style of architecture. 
In 1879 a handsome stone manse was erected on the grounds adjoin- 
ing the church, while from time to time a series of improvements have 
been carried on adding largely to the beauty and convenience of both 
properties. 

Though not strong numerically nor in wealth, the church stands 
to-day one of the best-equipped in the Presbytery, and at the same time 
an illustration of the result of faithful labor and sacrifice. 

D. E. Craighead. 



DUNCANSVILLE. 



Organized as "East Freedom" Church in 1846, the name being 
changed to Duncansville June 10, 1873. It is served now and has been 
for many years in connection with Martinsburg, now called " Gibson 
Memorial" Church. Its pastors and stated supplies have been Wm. J. 
Gibson, D.D., Levi Risher, J. R. Sansom, Wm. Anderson, A. L. Lathem. 

Those before Rev. Wm. J. Gibson the writer does not recall. The 
membership is sixty-two. 

The elders now are Thomas Patterson and D. M. Thompson. 

R. F. Wilson. 



EAST KISHACOQUILLAS. 

The exact time of the organization of this church is not known, the 
early records having been lost. The early settlers of the valley were 
Scotch-Irish, and belonged to the Presbyterian Church. They were of 
the better order of peasantry, and brought with them the characteristics 
of their native land. Attracted by the beauty and fertility of the valley, 
they came hither as early as 1755 for the purpose of locating lands, but 
on account of the hostility of the Indians and the French war no per- 



148 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

manent settlements were made until about 1765. From this year we 
may safely date the rise and progress of the East Kishacoquillas con- 
gregation. There was probably no formal organization, but all assembled 
together from time to time by mutual agreement under the leadership 
of their principal men for religious exercises; and thus the congregation 
grew in members and influence. It is not known certainly how fre- 
quently they enjoyed the ministrations of ordained ministers prior to the 
year 1775, but that they were then a large congregation is evident from 
the following extract from the diary of Rev. Philip Fithian, who preached 
to them on August 13, 1775, and thus writes : " There is a large society, 
and it makes a good appearance. We were in the forenoon in a large 
barn ; it was too small, and we went into a fine meadow [the meadow 
of Judge Brown, opposite the present village of Reedsville]. I am told 
the people of this village are all united in religious matters, all Presby- 
terians, and all orthodox primitive Presbyterians too, all except eight 
sour unbrotherly Seceders, and a sociable and agreeable Churchman, 
Mr. Landrum. For supply Esquire Brown gave me 20 shillings 9 
pence." 

• The first stated ministry enjoyed by this congregation was under the 
labors of Rev. James Johnston, a native of this State, a graduate of 
Princeton College, and a soldier of the Revolution. He was licensed by 
the Presbytery of Donegal October 11, 1783, and ordained by the same 
Presbytery August 19, 1784, and installed pastor of East Kishacoquillas. 
West Kishacoquillas was comprehended in his charge, although it does 
not appear that he was installed over the latter as a separate congrega- 
tion. The call addressed to him, and still preserved, was dated March 
15, 1783, sixty-nine names being appended to it, among them names yet 
familiar in the valley in the persons of their descendants. The call is as 
follows, differing from the prescribed form now in use, and yet, as all will 
agree, in some respects superior to it : 



" Mr. James Johnston, Preacher of the Gospel. 

" Sir, — We, the subscribers, members of the United Congregation of 
East and West Kishacoquillas, having never, in this place, had the stated 
administration of Gospel ordinances, yet highly prizing the same, and 
having a view to the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ and the 
Spiritual Edification of ourselves and families, have set ourselves 'to 
obtain that Blessing among us ; and therefore as we have had the Oppor- 










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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 49 

tunity of some of your labors in this place, and are satisfied with your 
Soundness, Piety, and ministerial ability to break unto us the bread of 
life, we do most heartily and sincerely, in the name of the Great Shep- 
herd of the Flock, Jesus Christ, call and invite you to come and take 
the Pastoral Charge and oversight of us in the Lord. And for your 
encouragement we do promise, if God shall dispose your heart to em- 
brace this Call, that we will pay a dutiful attention to the word and 
ordinances of God, by you administered, that we will be subject to your 
Admonitions and reproofs, should our Falls and miscarriages expose us 
thereto, and will submit to the discipline of the Church exercised by you 
agreeably to the Word of God ; and also that we will treat your Person 
with Friendship and Respect, and behave in all things towards you as 
becomes Christians always should towards their Pastor, who labors 
among them in word and Doctrine. 

" And further we are persuaded that those who serve at the Altar 
should live by the Altar, we do promise, in order that you may be, as 
much as possible, freed from worldly incumbrances, to provide for your 
comfortable and honorable maintenance in the manner set forth in our 
Subscription Papers accompanying this our Call, during your continuance 
with us as our regular Pastor. And in witness of our hearty Desire to 
have you settle among us, we have hereunto set our names this Fifteenth 
day of March, Anno Domini 1783. 

" Wm. Brown, Jam's Scott, John Cooper, William Corbett, John 
McManagill, Samuel Mitchell, Hugh Martin, Matthew Taylor, Joseph 
Adams, William McAlvey, Wm. Harper, James Alexander, James Reed, 
James Glass, Thomas Brown, Alexander McNitt, Elijah Criswell, John 
Fleming, Alexander Brown, Edm'd Richardson, Wm. Miller, Robert 
Barnhill, Wm. Young, James S. McClure, Thomas Arthurs, Thomas 
Alexander, Samuel Alexander, Samuel Wills, William McNitt, Philip 
Clover, David Kelly, Arthur Buchanan, Joseph Brown, John Means, 
James Means, John McNitt, William Wilson, Robert McNitt, Thomas 
Thompson, Joseph McKibbins, James Laughlin, Robert Allison, James 
McCay, William Fleming, Matthew Kenney, Robert Gardner, James 
Reed, Robert McClelland, William Miller, Jr., Joseph Wisley, Wm. 
Mitchell, James Burns, John McDowell, Robert Campbell, Samuel Mil- 
liken, David Barr, Neal McManigal, Benj. Hall, Benjamin Cresswell, 
Henry Taylor, Elisha Cresswell, Thos. Sankey, William Thompson, John 
Culbertson, Abraham Sandford, John Kyle, Samuel Hower, Joseph 
Heslot, John Reed." 



15© THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

On the 22d of June, 1796, Mr. Johnston requested leave to resign 
his charge, and the congregations being cited to appear by their com- 
missioners at the next stated meeting to show cause, if any they had, 
why Presbytery should not accept his resignation, did so appear by their 
commissioners at the meeting, October 5, 1796, and declared in writing 
and by verbal statements, " That the congregations heartily desired that 
Mr. Johnston should continue their Pastor, and that they would be 
perfectly satisfied with what ministerial duties his health would permit 
him to discharge. Nevertheless Mr. Johnston having given sufficient 
reasons, Presbytery agreed to dismiss him, and he is hereby dismissed." 
At the same meeting of the Presbytery the commissioners from East 
Kishacoquillas applied for as much of Mr. Johnston's time as the Pres- 
bytery could give them until our next meeting. Two appointments 
were given him elsewhere, the rest of his time being left at his own dis- 
cretion. On October 4, 1797, "A Supplication" was presented "from 
the congregations of East Kishacoquillas and Lewistown for Mr. Thomas 
Hoge's time as Stated Supply till our next meeting; to each one half" 
On April 11, 1798, "Petitions from East and West Kishacoquillas for 
Hberty to present a call through the Presbytery of Carlisle to the Rev. 
John Arnold, a member of that Presbytery, were handed in and read." 
Permission was granted them, and also liberty to apply to the Presbytery 
of Carlisle for supplies. On April I, 1800, "A Supplication" was pre- 
sented "from East Kishacoquillas for supplies, and, if possible, for the 
one-half of the labors of their former minister Mr. James Johnston." On 
October 8, 1800, "A Supplication" having been presented "from Dry 
Valley for a part of Mr. Johnston's labors as Stated Supply," Mr. Johns- 
ton from this time resumed his labors in East Kishacoquillas congrega- 
tion, and continued as stated supply of it and Little (Dry) Valley until 
his death on January 4, 1820. Mr. Johnston was a popular, scriptural, 
and affecting preacher, a useful and beloved pastor, and a judicious and 
influential Presbyter. " He seems to have had a special adaptation to 
the settlement of difficulties among contending parties in the church. 
At least, he was generally appointed by the Presbytery on committees 
in business of this kind, and usually the chairman. This may have been 
out of respect to his age and sound judgment, as well as his conciliatory 
disposition." He died lamented by the congregation among whom he 
had labored for the long period of thirty-three years. 

The Session consisted at this time, as far as we can ascertain, of John 
Cooper, Elijah Criswell, Matthew Taylor, and William Henry. The 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON: 15I 

Records of Session prior to 1830 were destroyed in the burning of a 
house. 

The second pastor was Rev. Samuel Hill, a native of Ireland, a grad- 
uate of the University of Glasgow, and a licentiate of the Presbytery of 
Route. He was ordained and installed pastor of East Kishacoquillas 
and Little Valley October 3, 1821, having supplied them over a year 
previously, until his probation as a foreign minister, required by the 
General Assembly, had expired. He resigned on February 8, 1825, to 
accept a call to an Associate Reformed Church in Pittsburg, the con- 
gregations reluctantly consenting. Large additions are said to have 
been made to the membership of the church during his ministry. 

The third pastor was Rev. James H. Stuart, of the Presbytery of 
Philadelphia, who was installed pastor of this church and West Kisha- 
coquillas October 26, 1827. " His coming among them was the means 
of uniting them in feeling, and healing some unhappy divisions which 
had existed among them." He died April 27, 1829, in the midst of his 
labors, and was buried in the church cemetery. 

The fourth pastor was Rev. James Nourse, of the Presbytery of 
Philadelphia, who was installed pastor of this church alone June 8, 1831, 
having supplied it during the winter previous. The Session at this time 
consisted of the following members : Robert Cooper, John Beatty, Henry 
Taylor, Joseph Kyle, Hugh Alexander, Thomas Reed, William Barr, 
and Robert Milliken. Mr. Nouse resigned in April, 1834. 

The fifth pastor was Rev. Joshua Moore, who was installed June 17, 
1835, and continued pastor until his death, April 15, 1854. He was a 
faithful pastor, distinguished for his eminent piety. His rehgion was a 
living principle, a constant habit of soul, impressing all who came in 
contact with him. He was for a number of years the stated clerk of 
the Presbytery. He died sincerely lamented by his brethren of the 
Presbytery and the people of his charge. He was the father of Rev. 
S. M. Moore, D.D. 

The sixth pastor was Rev. Nathan Shotwell, from the Presbytery of 
Washington, Pennsylvania, who was installed June 12, 1855, and resigned 
in October, 1857. 

From December, 1857, to April, 1858, the pulpit was supplied by 
Rev. George W. Robertson. 

The seventh pastor was Rev. George Elliott, who was installed No- 
vember 9, 1858, and continued pastor until October, 1868, when he re- 
signed. He enjoyed in a high degree the confidence and affection of 



152 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

the congregation, and amid their deep regrets ceased to labor among 
them. 

The eighth and present pastor, Rev. Andrew H. Parker, a licentiate 
of the Presbytery, was ordained and installed pastor at an adjourned 
meeting of the Presbytery in the East Kishacoquillas Church, December 
7, 1869, having supplied the pulpit from June previous. The Session at 
this time consisted of Henry L. Close, Charles Naginey, and Crawford 
Kyle. The present Session consists of John D. Barr, James R. Beatty, 
Francis A. Means, Robert A. Naginey, William B. Kyle, and Henry T. 
Reed. 

The twenty-fifth anniversary of this pastorate was kindly celebrated 
by the congregation, June 14, 1894, with appropriate services in the 
church, in which Revs. Wilson, Elliott, R. M. Campbell, Kelly, Mathers, 
Wallace, Mateer, and Bergen, and Elders Barr, Naginey, and Woods 
participated, followed by a banquet in the town-hall. The pastor was 
presented by the congregation with a handsome silver water set, of beau- 
tiful design with suitable inscription. 

The first church erected by this congregation, called "The Meeting- 
House," was a rough log building, one story high, without any plaster- 
ing, without any floor, and without any fireplace or provision made for 
heating. It had windows on each side of the door, on the opposite side, 
and, perhaps, at each end, but the lights were small and few in number. 
The seats were slab benches, made of split logs, without backs. The 
coldest season of the year the minister had to preach, and the people 
came to hear him with their overcoats buttoned up to their chins ; and 
seldom were the sermons less than an hour and a half, and often much 
longer. At what precise time this building was erected it is impossible 
to tell. Those who worshipped within its walls have long ago disap- 
peared, and with them the memory of it ; and the interesting incidents, 
which were doubtless associated with its history, have well-nigh perished. 
It was situated a little west of where the old stone church stood. To it, 
in its earlier history, at least a part of the congregation found it neces- 
sary to carry their firearms for the sake of protection and to guard 
against surprise from the Indians. 

The second church building, the " Old Stone Church," large, commo- 
dious, and comparing so favorably with any erected in the surrounding 
country, was erected in the year 1808. It is well remembered by many 
with its large congregations, its two long services with intermission, and 
its boundaries stretching many miles in every direction. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 53 

' Its pews of obdurate pine, straight-backed and tall ; 

Its gallery, mounted high, three sides around; 
Its pulpit, goblet-formed, half up the wall, 

The sounding-board above, with acorn crowned. 
And Rouse's Psalms, that erst therein did sound 

To old fugue tunes, to some the thoughts might raise 
Of folks antique that certes there were found. 

Ah, no! I wote in those enchanting days, 
There beauty beamed, there swelled the richest notes of praise." 



The congregation worshipped in this building for fifty years. Near 
to it stood a small frame building called " The Study House." It was 
furnished within with a stove, stand, and a few benches and chairs. To 
it the minister might resort to pi'epare for the afternoon services. The 
Session also met here to discuss and arrange the business of the church, 
and to examine candidates for admission to membership. 

The third building was the " Brick Church," dedicated June 1 5, 1858. 
The Rev. G. W. Thompson, D.D., of Lower Tuscarora, preached the 
dedicatory sermon, and the Rev. George Elliott led the congregation in 
the dedicatory prayer ; Revs. Dr. Woods, John Elliott, and J. W. White 
being present and taking part in the services. In this church the con- 
gregation regularly assembled for divine services during a 'period of 
thirty-five years. " Church Hill," on which these three churches were 
erected, is a spot consecrated by many precious memories, where the 
congregations worshipped during one hundred and ten years. 

The fourth building is the present Stone Church in Reedsville, the 
corner-stone of which was laid with appropriate services July 23, 1892. 
It was dedicated September 28, 1893, Rev. J. C. Kelly preaching the 
dedicatory sermon from Genesis xxviii. 17; the pastor giving a brief 
sketch of the history of the church, and offering the dedicatory prayer ; 
and Revs. R. F. Wilson, R. M. Wallace, D.D., E. H. Mateer, W. H. 
Decker, D. W. Woods, and Ex-Governor James A. Beaver being present 
and participating in the services. The church is situated upon a slight 
eminence, commanding a delightful view of the surrounding country 
east and west, where its fine exterior is visible to every passer-by. It is 
of handsome brown-stone, from the Walton Quarries at Hummelstown, 
Pennsylvania, trimmed with white limestone from the State of Indiana. 
It is built in a very attractive style of Gothic architecture, and has a 
frontage of ninety-three by sixty-one feet. The interior of the church 
is worthy of the beautiful exterior. The cost of the building and fur- 



154 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

nishing was twenty-three thousand dollars, all of which was subscribed 
and paid some time before the day of dedication. 

The Sabbath-school of the church was organized about the year 
1832. It is well attended, and has at present two hundred members. 
The Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society was organized April 15, 1882, 
with twenty-four members. Since 1884 it has contributed to home mis- 
sions also. Its present membership is forty-two. The meetings are 
interesting and well attended. The Children's Mission Band was or- 
ganized February 27, 1892, with twenty-seven members. The Young 
People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized June 20, 1893, with 
twenty-six charter members. Its present membership is sixty-seven, 
fifty-two of which are active and fifteen associate members. Twenty of 
the associate members united with the church during the past year. 
Their meetings every Sabbath evening are well attended, and increased 
zeal and a deeper spiritual warmth are manifest. 

Among the children of the church who have gone out from it into 
the ministry are Rev. John Fleming, missionary to the Creek Indians, 
and an earnest, faithful laborer in the home mission field for over fifty 
years; Rev. William Reed, missionary to India in 1833; Rev. Matthew 
B. Hope, M.D., D.D., missionary at Singapore, Corresponding Secretary 
of the Board of Education, and Professor of Belles Lettres and Political 
Economy in the College of New Jersey ; and Rev. Samuel M. Cooper, 
pastor of Lick Run Church, and for some years stated supply at Clear- 
field, Little Valley, etc. 

The sketch of the East Kishacoquillas Church would be incomplete 
without a brief notice of the old graveyard adjoining the site of the 
churches on the hill. Here sleep those who first settled among the hills 
which surround us on every side, the stroke of whose axe first broke 
the stillness of the forest, the ancestors of many in the community. 
Here lie three of the pastors of the congregation, and all around them 
rest the remains of persons who listened for many long years to their 
earnest, instructive teachings. Tradition says that the first funeral was 
that of a child ; that the burial was interrupted by an alarm of Indians ; 
that the settlers hastened to defend their homes, leaving one of their 
number to fill up the grave. Sacred spot, crowned with growing cedars 
as if to represent the unfading remembrance of the departed in the hearts 
of those who survive. 

Andrew H. Parker. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 155 

EVERETT. 

A FEW Presbyterian families seem to have been among the first 
settlers in and about Everett, or Bloody Run, as the village was then 
called. Rev. John McElheny and others preached to them occasionally, 
first in Mr. Samuel Tate's barn, then in the old Union Church (long 
since gone), and afterwards in the school-house. 

About the year 1842 Mr. Samuel Tate deeded to the Presbyterian 
and Lutheran congregations a lot of ground, on which they at once built 
a house of worship. Lutheran and Reformed ministers preached in this, 
but the meagre records of the church say nothing of a Presbyterian 
minister filling the pulpit till about the year 1866, when Rev. A. V. C. 
Schenck, of the Bedford Church, began to preach at intervals of perhaps 
three weeks. 

In the year 1868 Rev. R. F. Wilson, another pastor of the Bedford 
Church, began to preach in Everett on alternate Sabbaths. On the 5th 
of May, 1874, an organization was effected by a committee of the Pres- 
bytery of Huntingdon, the number of members in the new organization 
being twenty. The church continued to form a pastoral charge in con- 
nection with the Bedford Church till the year 1884. Rev. R. F. Wilson 
continued to serve the church as stated supply until 1878. He was 
followed by Rev. John R. Henderson, 1878-1881, and he by Herbert 
D. Cone, 1 882-1 883. 

In 1884 the church's connection with Bedford was severed, and Rev. 
D. W. Hutchison was installed pastor. He remained in this relation for 
about one year. The pulpit was supplied with more or less regularity 
by Presbytery till December 6, 1887, when Rev. W. H. Schuyler, Ph.D., 
was installed pastor for one-half his time, and continues in that relation 
to the present time (1895). 

The church's growth has been slow, due chiefly to the fact that it is 
in a region well occupied by other denominations, to which the people, 
by birth and education, are more inclined ; yet the little company of 
Presbyterians were early on the ground, and, feeling that they can better 
serve the Master in the church of their choice, they are zealous to main- 
tain their own organization. Present membership forty-seven. 

W. H. Schuyler. 



156 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

FRUIT HILL. 

The few people who lived in these parts of Clearfield County while 
as yet a dense forest of fine timber no doubt enjoyed occasionally the 
preaching of the gospel previous to 1835. But in the summer of that 
year Revs. David McKinney and Samuel Wilson, of honored and pre- 
cious memory, at their own suggestion and by appointment of Presbytery, 
labored most successfully among them for four weeks or more, preaching 
in barns and private dwellings as opportunity and convenience afforded. 

From that time on the people in the vicinity of Fruit Hill held their 
meetings and Sabbath-school in a log barn belonging to Mr. James 
McNeel, Sr., he being superintendent of the latter. 

In the sprmg of 1839 application was made to Presbytery for a church 
organization, which was granted. Thus Fruit Hill Church was organized 
in the above log barn, with thirty members, on August 23, 1839, by Rev. 
Hill and Elder John Owen as a committee from Huntingdon Presbytery. 

Here this little band of Christian pioneers still worshipped and 
enjoyed the preaching of the word as Presbytery could supply them. 
But steps were taken meanwhile towards building a church, located 
where the cemetery now is, and it was completed by the fall of 1841, 
having cost the members only fifteen dollars in money. 

During the period of seventeen years up to 1856 the church had 
been served with preaching in connection with Mount Pleasant Church 
and other appointments for one-fourth or one-third or one-half time, as 
it happened; but on October 6, 1856, at a congregational meeting, they 
decided to go alone, subject to Presbytery, and support a man for his 
full time. This step was one of the most memorable events in the 
history of the church. That man of God, Rev. George W. Thompson, 
D.D., was present, had been preaching and holding communion for 
them, and by his eloquence and power and persuasiveness he fired the 
heart of the people with such enthusiasm that they, then and there, 
raised by subscriptions eight hundred dollars for that purpose. At a 
subsequent meeting they fixed the minister's salary at that amount. 
Four years later, on March 26, i860, they decided to build or to buy a 
parsonage for the minister, and raised four hundred and fifty dollars by 
subscriptions for it, which they appHed on the purchase of property, in 
the village of Ansonville, nearly one and one-half miles from the church. 

The next great movement was to build a new church, the old being 
now altogether too small for the congregation. The new church stands 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 57 

directly opposite where the old church stood, built during the pastorate 
of Rev. David H. Campbell, and dedicated on May 29, 1878. Its entire 
cost was seven thousand four hundred dollars, sixteen hundred of which 
was provided for on the day of dedication. It is a large brick and stone 
building, with seating capacity for six hundred people, and a basement 
for a lecture and Sabbath-school room. It is so large owing to the fact 
that it was then the only church in this section of country, except a 
Baptist church at Ansonville and a Lutheran church at New Millport. 
People of all denominations would come long distances on every Sabbath 
day and worship in its courts. 

Since 1878 other churches and chapels have been built at Madera, 
Glen Hope, Irvona, Bervvindale, Ansonville, Gazzam, Kerrmoor, and 
New Millport, drawing largely on Fruit Hill, so that the attendance on 
Sabbath is not now, or as yet, as large as it used to be ; still the church 
reported one hundred and ninety-four members to Presbytery, April, 1895. 

Glen Hope Church was organized from Fruit Hill on February 17, 
1878. Berwindale Church was built during the ministry of Rev. E. P. 
Foresman, and dedicated on November 19, 1893. Its entire cost was 
thirteen hundred and forty-eight dollars and fifty-three cents. It has 
elders and trustees and regular services of its own, but all connected with 
and a part of Fruit Hill Church. 

The church has enjoyed several very precious revivals since its 
organization ; but the two most remarkable took place, one during the 
ministry of Rev. William Birchfield, the other while Rev. D. H. Camp- 
bell was pastor. As many as five hundred and sixty-three have been 
received into the church, an average of more than ten for each year of 
its existence. 

MINISTERS WHO HAVE SERVED THE CHURCH. 

Name. Year. 

Rev. Frederick G. Belts Supply. 1840-1843 

Rev. William J. Murphy Supply and pastor. 1844-1847 

Rev. Alexander Boyd Supply and pastor. 1848-1852 

Rev. James J. Hamilton Supply. 1853-1855 

Rev. N. S. Conklin Supply. 1857-1858 

Rev. Thomas Stevenson Supply. 1859-1861 

Rev. William M. Burchfield Pastor. 1863-1869 

Rev. N. G. Newell Supply. 1870-1872, 

Rev. John McKean (for about six months) . 1 873-1874, 

Rev. David H. Campbell Pastor. 1875-1884 

Rev. William W. Woodend, D.D. (for six months' supply). 1885. 

Rev. William Anderson Supply. 1886. 

Rev. Edmund P. Foresman Pastor. 1886-1893 

Rev. Robert George Williams Pastor. 1894. 



158 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



ELDERS. 

Name, Installed. 

John Thomson August 23, 1839. 

James McNeel, Sr August 23, 1839. 

Robert McCracken August 23, 1839. 

Robert Patterson August 23, 1839. 

Joseph Patterson August 23, 1839. 

John Thomson, Jr February 12, 1853. 

Benjamin S. Roberts .... February 12, 1853. 

John Hunter, Sr February 12, 1853. 

Robert Liddell October 9, 1855. 

William A. Bloom February 20, 1870. 

John G. Wilson March 6, 1870. 

John Witherow November 15, 1874 

Robert M. Johnston November 15, 1874 

Reuben Caldwell November 15, 1874, 

John G. Glascow December 10, 1882, 

John M. Hunter December 10, 1882 

Reuben J. Rex January 20, 1883. 

William Witherow April I, 1888. 

Conrad Bloom April I, 1888. 

Samuel H. Witherow ... October 21, 1894. 

John Newton McCord .... October 21, 1894. 

Abraham Bloom October 21, 1894. 

Hezekiah Patterson October 21, 1894. 



Deceased. 
Deceased. 
Deceased. 
Deceased. 
Deceased. 
Deceased. 
Deceased. 
Deceased. 
Deceased. 



R. G. Williams. 



GIBSON MEMORIAL (MARTINSBURG). 

This church was organized as " Martinsburg" Church, April 8, 1835 ; 
but after the death of Dr. Wm. J. Gibson, a pastor, and the erection of 
a new church, the name was changed to "Gibson Memorial" in 1887. 
The pastors and supplies in later years were those named as serving 
Duncansville for the most part, as the two churches were connected in 
the same charge. The present elders are David F. Heffly, Martin Graf- 
fins, and Wm. Roberts, and the membership is fifty-five. 

R. F. Wilson. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 59 



GLEN HOPE. 

This church was enrolled by the Presbytery April 13, 1887. John 
G. Glasgow and Reuben J. Rex are its present elders, and its member- 
ship is twenty. It has only occasional services, from neighboring pastors 
or supplies. 

R. F. Wilson. 



HOLLIDAYSBURG. 



As Presbyterians were among the earliest settlers of the Juniata 
Valley, so the Presbyterian churches were the first which were then 
organized. As early as 1768 the HoUidays, Adam and William, left 
the Conococheague, came to the Aughwick Valley, where Shirleysburg 
now is, and thence to the site of HoUidaysburg. There was an old path 
which led from Kittanning, on the Allegheny River, across the Allegheny 
Mountains, through the gorge now known as Kittanning Point, past 
HoUidaysburg, Frankstown, and Alexandria, and continued in an easterly 
direction till it reached Philadelphia. In those early days it was 
travelled by the Indian and the trader with his pack-horse, and it is said 
that, thus used for many years by thousands, traces of its existence are 
discernible at this day. It had existed prior to 1756, when Colonel 
John Armstrong, from Cumberland County, with his regiment of three 
hundred and fifty men, made his celebrated expedition to the town of 
Kittanning, in the county now named in his honor, to punish the Indians 
who had been engaged in the Juniata Valley massacres. He followed 
this path, and for a short period encamped in the flats forming the pres- 
ent site of Gaysport. Thus HoUidaysburg lay upon this path, and Adam 
Holliday, who was a lieutenant of one of the companies, was perhaps 
the first Presbyterian who set foot upon the territory forming the bounds 
of this church. In 1768, with his brother William, he returned and 
located warrants for a large body of land at this place and commenced 
a settlement. He was followed by others, principally Scotch-Irish immi- 
grants, and thus at that early day the Presbyterian element became the 
dominant one. The frequent invasion of their settlements by the Indians, 
who contested, step by step, the approach of civilization into their wilds, 
resulted in a destruction of property and loss of life that would have 



l60 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

disheartened any others than those hardy pioneers, who with their 
courage, their faith, and their Bibles withstood this harassing and bloody 
warfare until peace brought rest and a cessation from ceaseless vigilance. 

During these troublous times the public worship of God was not 
wanting. The first preaching of the gospel, it is said, was by Colonel 
Armstrong's chaplain. Rev. Charles Beatty, at or near McCahan's mill, 
west of Gaysport. Subsequently, Rev. Dr. King, from Mercersburg, 
preached at the home of William HoUiday, and he was followed by Rev. 
Mr. McDougal, of Path Valley. These gentlemen were sent here by 
the Presbytery of Carlisle, which then embraced all this portion of the 
State. In 1784 a building of a temporary character for use in summer 
was erected at the spring north of Frankstown, near the home of the 
late Joseph Hileman, and for a number of years the colonists wor- 
shipped without molestation ; and thus, under the ministrations of Mc- 
Dougal, John Johnston, of Huntingdon, Matthew Stevens, and others, 
they fed their faith and received the emblems of their Saviour's sacrifice 
and love. 

In 1788 the church was organized and a building erected for per- 
manent worship within the bounds of the present cemetery. Rev. David 
Bard, who came from Leesburg, Virginia, was the first pastor, and the 
church was known as the Presbyterian Church of " Frankstown," though 
it was changed to " HoUidaysburg" in 1845. That place (Frankstown) 
was settled in 1750, and was named after a German trader, Stephen 
Franks, and was the oldest settlement on the Juniata River. After- 
wards, as HoUidaysburg became the head of canal navigation and grew 
rapidly in population, a large brick church was built there on the site of 
the present church, and was used by a constantly growing congregation 
until 1869, when the present large and magnificent edifice was com- 
pleted, though it was not dedicated until December 25, 1887. 

Mr. Bard continued as pastor until 1799, when he resigned. Mr. 
Bard for many years represented this district in Congress, and was a 
member at the first meeting of that body. While he was probably one 
of the few fitted by education for this office, it interfered with his pas- 
toral duties and possibly induced him to relinquish them. He was 
popular both as a pastor and a politician, and always manifested a true 
Christian zeal in his ministry. 

He was one of the eleven original members of the Presbytery which 
was organized in April, 1795, and this church was therefore one of the 
eleven original churches of the Presbytery. Thomas McCune and James 




H()I.l.ll)AYSBLlR(j 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. l6l 

Smith, grandfather of the late Elder Thomas Smith, were the elders of 
the church in 1788. 

Mr. Bard's resignation in 1799 was accepted by Presbytery. On the 
12th of March, 1815, while on his way home from Congress, he died at 
Alexandria, and his remains now lie in the cemetery of Sinking Valley, 
where he resided. 

After his death the church was without a pastor for almost seventeen 
years. What were the causes which produced this result we have not 
found recorded, but it fell into a state of disorganization, and no pastor 
was, during all that time, called to fill the pulpit. In February, 1816, 
Rev. James Galbraith, of the Presbytery of Redstone, visited the congre- 
gation by invitation, and a call being presented to him, he was received 
as a member of the Huntingdon Presbytery and pastor of this church. 
One-third of his time was also given to the church at Williamsburg. 
He continued the pastor until the fall of 1834, when the relation was 
dissolved. 

Mr. Galbraith, born in 1783, was the son of Robert Galbraith, Esq., 
a lawyer in Pittsburg, and it is said was a graduate of Jefferson College. 
He was ordained in i8 10, and was pastor of the Mahoning Church in 
Indiana County until he came here. 

He is remembered as a well-educated man, a great reader, a "good 
historian," and as possessing a remarkable memory. He was v.ery com- 
panionable, and exhibited traits that made him widely known. His 
preaching was instructive, and he was a faithful and zealous workman. 
His contemporaries were men who were conspicuous in this early period 
of the church, such as James and John Johnston, Morrison, Bryson, 
Linn, Grier, Hutcheson, and others. Of these, Rev. John Hutcheson 
was known as the theologian of the Presbytery and Rev. Isaac Grier as 
having no superior in the State as a teacher of the Latin and Greek 
languages. He was also the father of the late Robert C. Grier, eminent 
as a judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. 

In 1834 the General Assembly was controlled by that portion of the 
church afterwards known as " The New School." The minority, after 
the adjournment of that body, adopted a certain paper entitled "The 
Act and Testimony," which recited that certain teachings throughout 
the limits of the church were contrary to the doctrines of the Confession 
of Faith and Catechism, and sent it down to the Presbyteries for their 
consideration. The Huntingdon Presbytery adopted it by a considerable 
majority, and Mr. Galbraith voted to approve the declarations contained 



l62 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

in the paper. This not only indicated his own loyalty to the standards 
of the church, but the Presbytery also thus early exhibited a conserva- 
tism which has since been consistently maintained. 

Mr. Galbraith was in 1834 succeeded by John A. Dunlap, a licentiate 
commissioned by the Board of Domestic Missions. Being in feeble 
health he was not ordained, but served the congregation for a period of 
three years. In 1837 he went to Cincinnati, and associated himself in 
the editorial management of the We.stern Presbyterian with Rev. W. D. 
Smith. We have not been able to trace his subsequent career. 

In 1838 Rev. William J. Gibson was called from Philadelphia to the 
pastorate of the church. This relation was dissolved in 1841, and Dr. 
Gibson removed to a number of other churches, and finally became the 
pastor at Duncansville, which was his last charge. He retired, from his 
clerical duties in 1880, and the act was made the occasion of the churches 
in the Presbytery manifesting their affection for him and appreciation of 
his services by a visitation at his home in November, 1880, and the pre- 
sentation of a purse containing over fifteen hundred dollars. He died 
at Duncansville in October, 1883. 

He was in his day a typical Presbyterian minister. He v/as known 
for his orthodoxy, was sound in his faith and teachings, and tolerated no 
shortcomings in the candidates subjected to Presbyterial examinations. 
To many of them he was a source of terror, but this unnecessary alarm 
fortunately proved an incentive to greater effort and more scrupulous 
accuracy. His massive form was for many years a familiar sight on the 
Presbyterial floor. His labors, usefulness, and learning will long be 
remembered. 

Rev. David McKinney was called in 1841, and he served the church 
until 1852, when he laid down his charge to assume the editorial man- 
agement of the Presbyterian Banner, since become a highly-successful 
publication. Dr. McKinney's name was eminent in the church. He 
was studious, industrious, and erudite. His sermons were models of 
composition, and in their teaching of the gospel were analytic, clear, and 
strong. We recall no effort at embellishment, but his presentation of 
the truth of his text left little to be said and nothing to be misunder- 
stood. He died at Sewickley, Pennsylvania, in the year 1879. His son. 
Rev. I. N. McKinney, became a professor of Latin in Jefferson College, 
where he remained for one year, and died about three years afterwards 
at Sewickley. Rev. William W. McKinney, D.D., one of the editors of 
the Presbyterian, is also a son. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 63 

Rev. David X. Junkin, D.D., succeeded Dr. McKinney in 1853, 
having been installed in that year. He was a brother of the well-known 
Dr. George Junkin, received a collegiate education, and was first ordained 
a minister of the gospel in the year 1835. He then became the pastor 
of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, New Jersey, where he 
served for seventeen years. For two years and a half after that he 
labored as pastor of the "F" Street Church of Washington, D. C. 
Thence he was called to this church, and remained until December, 
i860, when at his own request the relation was dissolved. Subsequently, 
he acted as a chaplain in the United States navy for a season, during the 
War of the Rebellion, and afterwards removed to New Castle, Pennsyl- 
vania. He died in the year 1880 at Martinsburg, West Virginia. 

He was a highly-educated and cultured man. In his preaching he 
was incisive and eloquent. The resources of his reading and study ap- 
peared upon every page of his carefully-prepared sermons, and his in- 
tellectual strength gave a vigor to his thought and language possessed 
by few ministers of his day. He was quick to discern any encroachment 
upon his rights, and the rights and teachings of his church, of which 
he was a zealous defender, but he was genial and sunny, and the warmth 
of his manner and the graces of his conversation won him deserved 
admiration from all who met him. 

After the departure of Dr. Junkin the pulpit was supplied by Rev. 
David Sterrett, of Carlisle, until August, 1861, when Rev. David H. 
Barron, of the Mount Pleasant Church, in the Redstone Presbytery, was 
elected pastor. Though his ministry began in September he was not 
installed until November, 1861. He is still the pastor of this church. 
He is one of the oldest members of the Presbytery in point of residence, 
and no one is better known in the annual meetings of that body. His 
faithful devotion to duty, his scrupulous adherence to the preaching of 
the gospel only, and his scholarly attainments, directed by his great 
ability, have made him widely known, and have procured him great 
success as a spiritual teacher, and given him a long career unbroken by 
the slightest discord in his pastoral relation. He is the only living one 
of this church's pastors. We forbear to speak further of him at this 
time. Dr. Barron received the honorary degree of D.D. from Wash- 
ington and Jefferson College in 1885. 

The Church of HoUidaysburg is the abna mater of churches. The 
first of her offspring was the Duncansville Church, which went off in 
1845. Again, in 1850 and subsequent years, many of her members went 



164 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

to make the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Altoona, 
and the expansion of that church has led to the organization and ex- 
istence at this time of the Second and Third Presbyterian Churches of 
Altoona, and to them may, perhaps, be added the Broad Street and 
Juniata Churches. 

To the ministry this church has contributed Rev. Samuel T. Wilson, 
D.D., Rev. I. N. McKinney, Rev. James Smith, Rev. William W. Mc- 
Kinney, D.D., Rev. Paul D. Gardner, and Rev. John W. Simpson. 

The church edifice, including the chapel, with sexton's residence, 
stands upon a square of ground at Penn and Walnut Streets, and cost 
about sixty thousand dollars. The parsonage, a large and commodious 
house on the opposite corner, is valued at eight thousand dollars. 

The HoUidaysburg Male and Female Seminary, founded by members 
of this congregation in 1866, occupies the square immediately opposite 
the church, and is a highly prosperous institution. Rev. Joseph Waugh 
and Dr. R. S. Hitchcock, Presbyterian ministers, conducted the school 
during nearly all the period of its existence. 

It is manifest from this review of this church's history that it has 
been a potent agent in the civilization of this region. It began when 
the settler's axe and rifle attacked the forest and the savage which op- 
posed the white man's advance. Religion and courage came hand in 
hand with these Presbyterian settlers, and to-day, amid this teeming 
population and these surrounding evidences of commerce, industry, and 
wealth, that same faith permeates the mind that directs this mighty ad- 
vance, and largely dominates the actors of the day. 

Many men of usefulness, intelligence, and eminence have gone out 
from this church to fill positions of duty and honor, and it is known 
that the preaching of the gospel of Christ from the pulpit of this church, 
during this century, has borne a fruitage that not only attests the piety 
and devotion of its servants, but gave at least some glory to the name 
of Him of whom they were the honored heralds. 

ELDERS OF HOLLIDAYSBURG CHURCH. 

Thomas McCune Ordained I 

James Smith Ordained 1 788. 

Alexander Fulton Ordained 1800, 

Alexander Waugh Ordained 1800. 

John Blair Ordained 1816 

James Robison Ordained 1816, 

James Smith, Jr Ordained 1816. 




HOUTZDALE. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 165 

Isaac Rosebaugh Ordained 1816. 

Joseph Patton Ordained 1816. 

Alexander Knox ~| 

Tiiomas B. Moore I 

T I, -D r>-iji I" Record lost. 

John B. Riddle 

John G. McKee J 

John Lytte Ordained I 

Jonathan Hamilton Ordained 1842 

John McCartney Ordained 1842, 

Joseph Smith Ordained 1842 

Charles Wilson Ordained 1842, 

William C. McCormick Ordained 1842, 

Samuel Moore Ordained 1842, 

James D. Rea Ordained 1854 

William R. Finley, M.D Ordained 1854. 

Joseph Dysart Ordained 1854 

Thomas Smith Ordained 1855, 

Robert R. Hamilton Ordained 1855 

Hon. Samuel S. Blair Ordained 1868 

Crawford Irvin, M.D Ordained 1868 

Hon. Augustus S. Landis Ordained 1868 

Robert Riddle Ordained 1868. 

Professor James A. Stewart Ordained 189 

John T. Akers Ordained 189 

John Cree Ordained 189 

Robert W. Smith Ordained 189 

Augustus S. Landis. 



HOUTZDALE. 



Presbyterian services were first held in Houtzdale, in 1870 and 1 871, 
by Rev. William Prideaux, then serving the Beulah Church. In 1873 
occasional services were held at Houtzdale by Rev. William Gemmill, 
pastor of Beulah Church. In 1874 regular services were held every two 
weeks, meeting in what was called the " Union Church," under the care 
of the Methodist Episcopal brethren. 

Upon request made to the Presbytery of Huntingdon, a committee 
was appointed April 13, 1875, to organize a Presbyterian church at 
Houtzdale, if the way be clear. The Revs. W. Gemmill and N. A. Mil- 
ler, and Elder George W. McCuUy, were that committee. They met at 
Houtzdale, July 17, 1875, in the " Union Church," and organized a church 
to be known as the " First Presbyterian Church of Houtzdale, Pennsyl- 
vania." Nineteen members united in the org-anization, of whom all but 



l66 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

two were received by letter. Peter Cameron, James Blades, and William 
Watchman, all being elders from the Arnot Church, Presbytery of Wells- 
boro', were elected elders. A goodly number of the members were 
from Arnot also. 

W. Gemmill served the church as stated supply until 1878, when the 
congregation having erected and dedicated a new house of worship, the 
present one, they called him as pastor for one-half of his time, thus 
joining with Beulah in his support. Rev. W. Gemmill continued to 
serve the church as pastor until July, 1887. During his pastorate one 
hundred and ninety-six members were added to the church. 

Rev. A. A. Bird was engaged as stated supply for half his time in 
July of the same year. On September 25, 1887, the church separated 
from Beulah and engaged Mr. Bird as pastor, who continued to serve the 
church until October, 1891. During this time one hundred and fifty- 
seven members were added to the church, and there was a corresponding 
increase also in the Sabbath-school. 

Rev. D. V. Mays was elected pastor April 26, 1892, and remained 
until November 11, 1894. During Mr. May's pastorate one hundred and 
four members were added to the church. 

On January 12, Rev. J. A. McDonald began work as pastor-elect, and 
was installed as pastor May 7. The increase of membership in his time, 
up to the present, is twenty-two. The church has had in the twenty-two 
years of its history four pastors and a total membership of nearly six 
hundr^ed. The removals, however, especially during the last few years, 
have been very numerous, so that at no time has the roll of members in 
good standing numbered more than two hundred. 

Two of the three elders originally elected still serve the church, — 
viz., Peter Cameron and James Blades. Mr. Cameron has also served 
the Sabbath-school as superintendent from its very infancy, twenty-two 
years ago, up to the present time. 

The Session is composed of Peter Cameron, James Blades, J. H. Hahn 
(installed 1892), and George Ganoe, William Pollock, William R. Cam- 
eron, John Eaton, and Alex. Caldwell. The latter five were installed 
into office June 9, 1895. The elders of the church are all teachers in 
the Sabbath-school with the exception of Mr. Hahn, who has recently 
retired from the work on account of age. 

The Sabbath-school has an average attendance of about two hundred 
and twenty, with about two hundred and seventy on the roll. The 
membership of the church is two hundred and twenty. The Senior 



r 



« 





-f„^^ 




-^ 



•^\. 



^ 



\ 




HOUTZDALE. PASTORS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 67 

Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor has over forty active 
members and twenty associate. 

The Junior Endeavor has one hundred members. There is a branch 
Sabbath-school at Whiteside Run, about two miles southeast of Houtz- 
dale, which meets every Sabbath afternoon in a school-house, with about 
eighty members. Services are also held there every Sabbath evening 
by the elders, who take turns in conducting it, and once a month by the 
pastor, who also conducts service at Amesville, about three miles west, 
every second Sabbath afternoon, where about thirty members of the 
church reside. A union Sabbath-school is held in the school-house 
there every Sabbath morning, conducted mainly by the members of the 
church ; this school has upwards of one hundred members. 

The trustees of the church are Mr. Leonard, Mr. R. Cameron, Jos. 
Barr, Thomas Gillies, James Steele, Robert Shaw. 

About one hundred and fifty-five dollars have been raised since last 
spring towards the boards of the church, including seventy-six dollars 
towards the Million Dollar Fund. 

The services of the church are as follows : Service, Sabbath morning, 
10.30 A.M.; evening, 7 p.m. Sabbath-school, 11.45 ^-M- Junior Chris- 
tian Endeavor, 3.30 p.m. Young People's Society of Christian En- 
deavor, 6.30 p.m. Cottage prayer-meeting, Monday, 7.30 P.M. Church 
prayer-meeting, Wednesday, 7.30 P.M. Prayer-meeting, Amesville, Tues- 
d^^y. 7'IP P-J^' Preaching service, every second Sabbath, 2.30 p.m. 
Prayer-meeting, Sabbath evening, 7 p.m. Prayer-meeting, Whiteside, 
Thursday, 7 p.m. Sabbath-school, Sabbath, 2.30 p.m. Preaching ser- 
vice, Sabbath, 7 p.m. 

Houtzdale being a mining town, the population is of a transient 
character, which accounts for the great discrepancy between the number 
added to the roll of membership and the number in good standing. 

J. A. MacDonald. 



HUBLERSBURG. 



This church was organized in 1840 as a New-School Church', and, 
with Spring Mills, also New-School, till 1870 was served by the same 
pastors. Had a large congregation and large building, but only nine 
members now, and no elders and no preaching lately. Has had some 
supplies for many years past. 

R. F. Wilson. 



l68 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



HUNTINGDON. 

The records of the Session of this church from the date of its organi- 
zation up to 1825 — a period of thirty-six years — have unfortunately been 
lost. Dr. Gibson, in his history of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, says, 
" The first records of the congregation were burned up with the court- 
house before 1795." But the statement is doubtless an error. More 
probably the records were consumed at the time the dwelling of Mr. 
Jacob Miller was burned, — about the year 1824. Mr. Miller was an 
elder and was clerk of the Session, and the records made by him after- 
wards, from 1825 to 1838, are written with almost the accuracy and 
beauty of an engraving. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The church was organized in all probability at a meeting of the 
congregation held on the 6th of July, 1789. At the same meeting, or 
soon after, a call was made for the pastoral services of the Rev. John 
Johnston, who was at the time pastor of the churches of Hart's Log 
and Shaver's Creek, and who, we assume, took part in the organization 
of this church. October 7, 1789, the Presbytery of Carlisle released 
Mr. Johnston from the pastorate of the Shaver's Creek Church to accept 
a call from the Huntingdon congregation to become pastor of this church 
in union with the church at Hart's Log, in the valley near Alexandria, 
and Mr. Johnston accepted the call at the next meeting of the Presby- 
tery, April 13, 1790. The original subscription made for the support of 
Mr. Johnston is still in possession of the Hon. J. Simpson Africa. 

We insert a copy as a matter of history : 

" HUNTINGDON CONGREGATION SUBSCRIPTION. 

" We whose names are hereunto annexed do agree to pay the several sums prefixed to our 
names, yearly, and every year unto the hands of Benjamin Elliott, Esq., who is empowered 
to sue and recover said sums, if failure in payment, for the one-half of the Rev. John Johns- 
ton's ministerial labors to be performed at the town of Huntingdon. 

"July 6, 1789. 

" List of Subscribers. 

£ ^■ 



to o 



Benjamin Elliott, 

Andrew Henderson, • I 10 o 

James Hamilton, I lo o 

Samuel Riddle, I 10 o 

Charles Smith, I 10 o 

Robert Galbraith, I lo o 



C s. d. 

Alexander Dean, 150 

John Fee, 15 o 

John Patton, 15° 

Caleb Armitage, 18 .0 

John Reed, 15 o 

Alex. McConnell, 15° 




REV. A. N. HOLLIFIELD, D.D. 
REV. GEO. W. ZAHNISER. 



REV. LOWMAN P. HAWES. 

REV. JOHN JOHNSTON. 

REV. D. K. FREEMAN, D.D. 



REV. O. O. McCLEAN, D.D. 
REV. JOHN PEEBLES. 



PASTORS HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 





List of Subscri 


bers — Continued. 




£ s. d. 




Archibald Ramsey, 


o o 


Patrick Leonard, 


Robert Riddle, 


I o o 


Peter Vandevander, 


John Dean, 


I 5 


John Simpson, 


Michael Humbert, 


lO 


John Light, 


Peter Stevens, 


10 


John George, 


George Martin, 


lO o 


Robert Simpson, 


John Griffith, 


lo o 


James Elliott, 


Henry McCarthy, 


IS o 


Robert Patton, 


Isaac Armitage, 


o o 


George Guthrie, 


Peter Swoope, 


7 6 


John Weston, 


Moses Donaldson, 


O 


George Buchanan, 


Jesse Head, 


10 o 


John Ashbaugh, 


Matthew Simpson, 


I o o 


Hugh Tanner, 


William Simpson, 


10 o 


John Fee, Jr., 


Samuel McKenny, 


15 


John Shaver, 


William Moore, 


15 o 


John Covanhovan, 


Abraham Haines, 


lO o 


David McMurtrie, 


Jacob Laird, 


176 


William Mcllvain, 


Abraham Deardufif, 


7 6 


John Cadwallader, 


Joshua Lewis, 


5 





o o 
15 o 
15 o 

5 o 

7 6 
10 o 
10 o 

7 6 
10 o 

IS o 
10 o 
7 6 
IS o 
7 6 
7 6 
7 6 
o o 
10 o 
10 o" 



The Presbyterian is the oldest church organization in Huntingdon. 
Dr. WiUiam Smith, provost of the University of Pennsylvania, — who 
laid out the town and named it in honor of the Countess of Hunting- 
don, — during his visits to the place no doubt conducted religious services 
according to the rites of the Episcopal Church, but did not organize a 
church. The Lutherans came in 1791, the Methodists in 1797. A 
German Reformed minister came in 1806. But the Presbyterians pushed 
their way up the Juniata to Standing Stone early in the century and 
organized a church July 6, 1789. 



ELDERS. 

The eldership — that efficient and scriptural form of church govern- 
ment — has been no exception in this congregation. The pastors have 
always enjoyed the co-operation of intelligent and faithful elders. Jacob 
Miller, Samuel Steele, and John Ker were ruling elders in 1825, the date 
at which our records begin. Mr. Miller served as elder for a period of 
thirty-eight years, and died in the faith of Christ in 1863 at the ripe age 
of seventy-six. Mr. Ker served his church for more than thirty years, 
and entered into his rest October 30, 1855. Dr. Gibson says of him, 
" The name of Judge John Ker is still savory in all this region, and will 



170 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

be held in lasting remembrance by the congregation and people of Hunt- 
ingdon." 

Mr. Charles H. Miller served the church as elder the long period of 
thirty-seven years and as clerk for thirty years. His brethren say, " The 
Session of this church desire to bear their testimony to the uniform 
fidelity with which he discharged the duties of his office, — his humble, 
consistent Christian life and his faithful attendance upon all the ordi- 
nances of God's house." 

Hon. John Scott served the church faithfully as elder during twenty- 
two years and as Sabbath-school superintendent for a number of years. 
He now resides in Philadelphia. 

Mr. Henry Glazier was an elder for thirty-three years, and died Jan- 
uary 22, 1888. The Session testify to his beautiful Christian character: 
" He ever sustained the reputation of a God-fearing man. He attended 
faithfully to all the duties he sustained to the church. His end was 
peace, and he came to his grave in full age, like as a shock of corn 
Cometh in his season." 

Mr. G. Barton Armitage, having served as elder and clerk for seven 
years, removed from Huntingdon. At this date the ruling elders of the 
church are Messrs. William P. Orbison, Samuel T. Brown, William 
Dorris, J. Randolph Simpson, C. R. McCarthy, George M. McAlevy, 
and William B. McCarthy. It is evident that this church has been 
favored from its organization with an efficient and faithful eldership. It 
has been the right arm of the church. The prosperity of this congre- 
gation has been due in a large degree to the wisdom and fidelity of the 
elders, supported as they have always been by the confidence and liber- 
ality of the members. To their honor let it be recorded that never in 
the history of this church for a century has there arisen strife or discord 
between pastor and Session. And after nearly fourteen years' experience 
we bear cheerful testimony to the Christian confidence and harmony 
which have always prevailed in our meetings. 

DEACONS. 

May 24, 1876, Messrs. Charles Kershaw, R. A. Orbison, and B. F. 
Isenberg were elected to the office of deacon, whose duty it has been 
to minister to the wants of the poor of the church. To this object the 
offerings of communion Sabbaths are sacredly devoted. 

Mr. Isenberg is also treasurer of the church, and cheerfully performs 
whatever duties pertain to his office. 




HUNTINGDON I^RHSBVTHRIAN CHURCH. 




GEO. M. McALEVY. W. B. MCCARTHY. 

SAm'i, T. brown, WM. p. ORBISON. WILLIAM DORRIS. 

C. R. MCCARTHY. J. R. SIMPSON. 



ELDERS HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 171 

TRUSTEES. 

The temporal affairs of the church are administered by a board of 
trustees elected by the congregation from year to year. It is to the 
honor of this congregation that members have been ready to accept this 
office and to discharge the somewhat burdensome duties at the call of 
the people. And it is a pleasure to record that the business affairs of 
the church have always been wisely and efficiently managed. 

INCORPORATION. 

On the petition of David Blair, Esq., and other members of the con- 
gregation, to the Court of Common Pleas, a decree was made incorpo- 
rating " The Huntingdon Presbyterian Congregation" on the fifteenth 
day of April, 1843. 

pastors. 

The church has had only six pastors during the century of its history, 
— the present pastor being the seventh. This is a remarkable record : 
only seven pastors in one hundred and six years, and the last pastorate 
yet unfinished. Elder W. P. Orbison has seen and remembers every 
pastor of the church. 

The Rev. John Johnston was pastor from 1790 to 1823, over thirty- 
three years. He resigned in July and died December 16, 1823. He 
was most probably present at the organization of the church, and pre- 
vious to that was appointed by the Presbytery of Carlisle to supply the 
congregation at Standing Stone. He was a preacher of marked ability, 
— a man of culture and scholarship. He organized and taught for many 
years a classical school in Huntingdon. One of his pupils was the 
author of Smart's Horace. He was stated clerk of the Presbytery of 
Huntingdon for many years, and never, it is said, were the minutes more 
accurately kept. A work by him, entitled " A Vindication of the Doc- 
trines of the Reformation," evinces decided ability. Dr. Gibson, refer- 
ring to some of his sermons still extant, says, " These are very learned 
and interesting discourses." 

The Rev. John Peebles becames pastor in 1825. He closed his long 
and useful pastorate in 1850. Mr. Peebles was remarkable for the gen- 
tleness of his disposition, the purity of his life, and the exalted type of 
his Christian character, which shone forth before this community clear as 
the sun. He was greatly gifted in prayer. One who remembers him 
said to me, " I never heard any one more able in prayer." Says Dr. 
Gibson, " The loveliness of his private character and the conscientious 



1/2 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

performance of all the duties of life were the winning charms which so 
greatly endeared him to his pastoral charge." 

The Rev. Lowman P. Hawes was pastor from 1850 to 1854. He 
was a retiring, scholarly man, and prepared his sermons with much care. 
But failing health soon compelled him to relinquish his charge. 

The Rev. O. O. McClean, D.D., was pastor from 1854 to 1859. ^^ 
was an able and vigorous preacher, — often brilliant and eloquent. He 
was a kind-hearted and affectionate pastor. 

The Rev. George W. Zahniser was pastor from 1859 to 1875, a pas- 
torate of sixteen years. He was a profound and instructive preacher. 
Under no preacher has this people been more thoroughly indoctrinated 
in the standards of our church and the teachings of the word of God. 
He was a sympathetic and conscientious pastor, an able, modest, good 
man. He died June 12, 1889. 

The Rev. A. N. Hollifield, D.D., was pastor from 1876 to 1882. He 
was an earnest preacher and a faithful and affectionate pastor. 

The Rev. D. K. Freeman, D.D., became pastor in 1882. His pas- 
torate has continued over thirteen years and is still unfinished, 

REVIVALS. 

The spiritual life of this church through its entire history has been 
characterized by revivals. These outpourings of the spirit of God — like 
showers in summer — have been frequent and sometimes very powerful. 

In 1828, Mr. Peebles pastor, the church was revived and sixty-five 
added. 

In 1832 there was another revival and a large accession. 

In 1843 occurred a revival of great power, and eighty-six were 
added. 

In 1858, Dr. McClean pastor, a revival, and a large accession. 

In 1873, Mr. Zahniser pastor, a work of grace, and many admitted. 

In 1876, the church being without a pastor, a revival began under 
the preaching of Dr. Wallace and Dr. Wilson, a committee from Pres- 
bytery, and was continued under the ministry of Mr. Hollifield. This 
was a powerful revival. The whole community was stirred. More than 
two hundred and fifty were received into this church. 

In 1885 a work of grace, and forty-eight were admitted. 

In 1888 a deep religious interest, and thirty professed Christ. 

In 1892, after union services held by the Rev. F. E. Smiley, forty- 
seven new members were received into our communion. 




THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING OF HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

OCCUPIED FROM I 83O TO I 84 5. STILL STANDING AT FOURTH AND MIFFLIN STS. 

SECOND CHURCH BUILDING STOOD ON THE CORNER OF SIXTH AND PENN STREETS. 

OCCUPIED FROM 1 845 TO 1 873. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 73 

CHURCHES. 

For many years after the church was organized the congregation 
was without a house of worship, and religious services were held in the 
court-house. In 1817 the Episcopalians, Lutherans, and Presbyterians 
united to build a church, which they jointly occupied for some years. 
But the union was not a happy one through some incompatibility of 
disposition, and the interest of each in the church was finally sold at 
sheriff's sale. 

On August 13, 1828, the corner-stone was laid of the First Presby- 
terian Church in Huntingdon, on Fourth Street. It was finished in 1830, 
and had a seating capacity of two hundred and eighty. 

The second church edifice was dedicated August 13, 1845. It was a 
comfortable house of worship, and would seat about four hundred. It 
now forms part of Mr. J. C. Blair's large manufactory. 

The third edifice erected by this congregation is the fine, substantial 
building now occupied as a house of worship. It was dedicated to the 
worship of God September 15, 1873. The original cost was thirty-two 
thousand five hundred dollars, and previous to the centennial celebration 
on July 6, 1889, extensive improvements were made amounting to over 
ten thousand dollars. A note also of two thousand four hundred dollars 
was cancelled by the liberality of Mr. David McMurtrie. The audience- 
room will seat comfortably seven hundred, and has been made to accom- 
modate nearly twice that number. It is both commodious and beautiful. 

The chapel attached to the main building is an attractive room, seat- 
ing about two hundred and fifty. It is adorned with fine stained-glass 
windows, the gift of Mr. William Dorris. The Bible-class room was 
tastefully decorated with Scripture texts at large expense by Mr. John 
G. Miles. 

A chapel has also been erected during the present pastorate in West 
Huntingdon. The lot on which it stands was donated by Mr. William 
Dorris, and the building erected at a cost of about two thousand five 
hundred dollars. It will seat two hundred and fifty persons, and a flour- 
ishing Sabbath-school is conducted there by members of the church. 



The congregation has also a parsonage erected during the pastorate 
of Dr. McClean. Having been improved from time to time at large 
outlay, it is now an attractive and comfortable residence. 



174 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

CONCLUSION. 

The church at the present time has seven elders, three deacons, four 
hundred and forty members, and four hundred and fifty on the rolls of 
the Sabbath-schools. It contributed last year eleven hundred and twenty- 
four dollars to the boards and three thousand five hundred and eleven 
dollars for current expenses. 

It has its Ladies' Aid Society and Woman's Home and Foreign Mis- 
sionary Societies, its Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, and 
its Young People's Mission Bands. The church is well equipped for 
the Master's service. 

D. K. Freeman. 



HYNDMAN. 



This church was organized June 8, 1893; enrolled by Presbytery 
June 13, 1893; consisted of six members. James A. Sill and William 
C. Miller, M.D., were elected elders ; the latter was ordained, the former 
had been ordained; both were installed. Committee to organize was 
Drs. J. H. Mathers, D. K. Freeman, William H. Schuyler, and Elder G. 
M. Brisbin. The town soon after suffered financially. The congrega- 
tion has no building, and but an occasional service. 

R. F. Wilson. 



IRVONA. 



This church was organized October 29, 1885. The committee ap- 
pointed by Presbytery to effect the organization consisted of Rev. J. H. 
Mathers, D.D., J. L. Russel, William Gemmill, and D. H. Barron, D.D. 
ministers, and G. W. McCully and Colonel E. A. Irvin, elders. 

The following persons united in the organization : Mr. and Mrs. 
Charles B. McKean, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Haupt, Mr. and Mrs. David 
Kline, Mrs. William Bartley, Miss Mary Bartley, Mrs. Ella McKean, 
James K. Patterson and wife, Robert Lossie, and Robert Stephens. 
Charles B. McKean and Daniel Kline were ordained elders, and Herman 
Haupt, R. Stephens, and R. Lossee, deacons. 

The new organization was effected, and continued to hold services 



s'^ 



^v^e9l= 




W"- 



V M\F^ 




N^ ? 



>'' Vv'iMiAr.^' 




IRVONA. PASTOR AND ELDERS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 75 

for some time in the depot of the P. & N. W. R. R., kindly granted for 
the purpose by Superintendent Ford. 

The present church and parsonage occupy adjoining lots, donated by 
the Witmer Land and Coal Co. The church is seated for four hundred, 
and in addition has a lecture-room seated for eighty. The church cost 
four thousand five hundred dollars, the parsonage nineteen hundred dol- 
lars. The church was dedicated November 27, 1890. The present 
membership of the church is one hundred and five, of the Sabbath- 
school one hundred and thirty-four. Christian Endeavor fifty-five, Ladies' 
Aid Society thirty-three. This was the first church organization in 
Irvona. 

MINISTERS. 

Rev. J. J. Wolf, 1887 to 1889. 

Rev. F. T. Wheeler (educated at Washington and Jefferson College, graduate of Princeton 
Seminary), 1889 to 1893. 

Rev. William Gibb (graduate of Edinburgh University, graduate and Clark scholar of U. P. 
Divinity College, Edinburgh, P. G. McCormick Seminary, Chicago), installed April 24, 1895. 

ELDERS. 

C. B. McKean, D. Kline, and J. Patterson (1885). 

J. G. McGaughey, A. Pollock, J. H. Moss, and W. W. Helman (i888). 

H. D. Pierce, James Haley, E. McEwen, and W. B. McNeal (1890). 

William Gibb. 



JUNIATA. 



The Juniata Presbyterian Church, located at the outskirts of Altoona, 
was organized by a committee appointed by the Presbytery of Hunting- 
don, on July 22, 1892, with a membership of twenty-six. Holding their 
services in a hall belonging to Mr. J. M. Hutchison, one of their mem- 
bers, the people were supplied with preaching by members of Presbytery 
until Rev. Emil Lewy, the first pastor, assumed his pastorate on January 
8, 1893. On the loth of that month the installation of the pastor took 
place ; Rev. A. W. Spooner, then of the Second Church of Altoona, 
presiding, preaching the sermon, and charging the people, and Rev. J. E. 
Irvine, of the Third Church of Altoona, charging the pastor. On the 
following night a Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was 
organized, and one week later, January 18, a Junior Christian Endeavor 
Society. The church was then in a well-organized condition; a Sabbath- 



176 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

school, with Mr. T. R. Browne as superintendent, and a Ladies' Aid So- 
ciety, with Mrs. Ella Brunebaker as president, having been in existence 
from the beginning of the organization. 

The pastor, seeing the need of a house of worship, with the help of 
his church officers secured a lot for the purpose, which was donated by 
Mr. William Louden, of Juniata. At a congregational meeting, the gift 
of Mr. Louden was accepted, and a building committee, consisting of T. 
R. Browne as chairman, W. Y. Anderson, and W. B. McNeel, appointed 
to proceed with the erecting of a building at a cost of about three thou- 
sand dollars. 

On August 20, 1893, the corner-stone of the new building was laid 
with fitting exercises, and on Thanksgiving-Day of that year the first 
services were held in the new house of worship. For a description of 
the building and the prospective work of the church, the account in the 
Presbyterian Messenger oi February 22, 1894, might be quoted. "The 
house is situated on the corner of John Street and Seventh Avenue, on 
a lot fifty by one hundred and twenty feet, and is forty-three by forty- 
five feet. It is intended as a chapel, and is so constructed as to be har- 
moniously connected with the final church they expect to erect later, 
and can be veneered with stone when desired. The seating capacity is 
three hundred and fifty; the first floor contains the audience-room and 
two small rooms to the right and left of the pulpit. Above is a small 
gallery, generally used for the pastor's Bible class. There is also a neat 
tower with a bell. The seating at present is of the ordinary chapel 
benches or settees. The inner wood-work is of pine finished in natural 
colors, and presents a very neat and tasteful appearance. The Ladies' 
Aid Society did not a little towards the furnishing of the pulpit and 
carpets, etc., and the Junior Christian Endeavor Society procured part 
of the pulpit furniture. 

" The lot is valued at eight hundred dollars, the building and furnish- 
ings cost in all about three thousand five hundred dollars, so that the 
whole cost is about four thousand three hundred dollars. 

" The construction plan of this chapel is unique. The audience-room 
is open to the roof, there are trussess but no cross-ties, and the whole is 
counterbalanced so as to make a very strong and substantial building. 
It is modelled after Westminster Hall, London, England, and is, it is be- 
lieved, the only one of its kind in this section of our country. T. R. 
Browne, Esq., an elder of the church, an architect of recognized ability, 
drew the plans and superintended the erection of this fine structure. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 77 

The style is Gothic, the design chaste, and the results pleasing to the 
eye, as well as substantial and satisfactory as to its intended use. 

" The population of Juniata is about two thousand; it is a suburb of 
Altoona, and the result of the establishment of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road shops at this point. The growth has been and continues to be 
conservative and healthy. It is a good place for the new church, and, 
as can be seen, the work is flourishing. The Sabbath-school is large for 
the advancement of the church, being now about one hundred and forty. 
Much credit is due to Rev. Mr. Lewy for the success attending his efforts 
in this place. He is also an active worker in the Christian Endeavor 
movement, and furnishes a column or so to each issue of the Keystone 
Herald, the State organ of the association. 

"The new church, or chapel rather, was dedicated Sabbath, February 
25, 1894, Rev. H. G. Furbay, of Tyrone, preaching the dedication ser- 
mon, and Rev. J. H. Mathers, D.D., of Bellwood, and Altoona ministers 
assisting. Owing to the financial depression, the amount needed to wipe 
out the debt was not realized, and the church is now making efforts to 
raise a sufficient fund to reach an appropriation made by the Board of 
Church Erection of one thousand dollars." 

The present membership of the church is one hundred and five ; that 
of the Sabbath-school one hundred and fifty. 

The following members constitute the present official boards : 

Elders, W. B. McNeel, William Cline, C. E. Kinch, S. B. Council, and 
H. C. Currie. 

Deacons, J. W. Lees, W. Y. Anderson, Isaac McNeel, John Hall, 
Robert Hutchison, Charles A. Anderson. 

Trustees, W. Y. Anderson, Blair N. Boyles, Samuel Haldeman. 

Emil Lewy. 



KERMOOR. 



The Kermoor congregation was organized October 27, 1887, by a 
committee appointed by Presbytery, consisting of Rev. E. P. Foresman 
and Elder R. M. Johnston, Dr. R. A. McKinley not being able to be 
present. After stating the purpose of the meeting, the committee re- 
ceived eighteen members by certificate, after which John C. Ferguson 
and J. S. McCrury were elected ruling elders, and were duly installed 
by the aforesaid committee. 



178 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The present number of members is fifty-three ; value of church 
property, two thousand five hundred dollars ; present pastor, Rev. R. G. 
Williams, who was called April 24, 1894. 

The original organization was made up largely from former U. P. 
members, both elders having been elders in that church. 

J, S. McCrury. 



KYLERTOWN. 



The immediate preparatory work towards the organization of a 
Presbyterian church in this town was carried on by a much-loved sol- 
dier of the Cross, the Rev. James Linn, pastor in Bellefonte for fifty- 
eight years, the memory of whose kindly deeds, genial disposition, and 
earnest work for the Master still lingers like the fragrance of a wreath 
of sweet forget-me-nots. 

The church of Kylertown was organized September 13, 185 1. 
During the three years from 1852 to 1854 Kylertown Church wor- 
shipped at Morrisdale, a small mining town five miles from here. 

In the fall of 1854 six or seven families joined together, and through 
their exertions and influence a small church was built in Kylertown. 
Those taking the most prominent part, and whose descendants have 
been faithful to the church of their fathers, were Leonard, John B., 
Thomas, and Conrad W. Kyler, J. W. Irvin, Jonas Mons, John Rayhorn, 
James M. Leonard, and George Hoover. The new church was dedi- 
cated December 27, 1854, with a membership of about twenty, Dr. 
Gibson preaching the dedication sermon. The minister who supplied 
the pulpit was the Rev. Cooper, from Clearfield, the elders being John 
W. Irvin and Conrad W. Kyler. 

Kylertown and Clearfield were joined together for four or five years. 
Afterwards Snow Shoe and Kylertown were grouped together. Rev. 
Collins supplying the pulpit, with John Rayhorn and Dr. Campbell as 
elders. Revs. Clarke and Wright succeeded Collins. This arrangement 
lasted about ten years, when Bigler and Kylertown joined hands, the 
pastors being Revs. Prideaux, Sargent, Kuhn, Foresman, and Chappel, 
with Jonas Mons and George Hoover as elders. 

Soon after Rev. Chappel entered upon his duties here Winburne 
Church was organized and joined with Kylertown. This arrangement 
still exists, under the pastorate of Rev. T. McClatchy, which began in 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 179 

June, 1893, the elders being Jackson Hoover and Peter Mons, Sr. The 
present membership is about sixty. The field now includes Kylertown, 
Winburne, Bigler, and Peale. The pastor conducts three services every 
Sunday, preaching at Kylertown, Winburne, and Peale. Including the 
outlying families, there are over one hundred square miles of territory 
to cover in pastoral work. As yet we have no organization at Peale. 
In all we have flourishing Sunday-schools and young people's societies, 
doing a good work. 

Thomas McClatchy. 



LEWISTOWN. 



The probability is that the church at Lewistown is over one hun- 
dred years old. Of the age of organization and of the original officers 
and members, however, records cannot be found. As early as 1785, 
Rev. Matthew Stephens supplied Lewistown and Waynesburg, preaching 
also at intermediate points. He probably continued in this service until 
1796 or 1797. In the latter year he accepted a call from the church at 
Shaver's Creek, and was installed. Mr. Stephens was present at the 
organization and first meeting of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, in 1795. 

From the beginning of preaching services here until 1 8 10 the 
people were dependent upon supplies. Among these several references 
are made to Rev. James Simpson, who was received by the Presbytery 
of Huntingdon in the year 1800. 

In 18 10, Rev. William Kennedy became pastor of the churches at 
Lewistown and West Kishacoquillas, two-thirds of his time being 
devoted to the former and one-third to the latter. In October of this 
year he was ordained and installed pastor of these churches. Mr. Ken- 
nedy seems to have been the first installed pastor of the Lewistown 
Church. He continued to serve it for twelve years. During this pastor- 
ate the Session consisted of Messrs. William McCay, Anthony Young, 
Jacob Walters, Daniel Robb, and Robert Robison. 

Until this time the congregation had no regular place of worship. 
The old court-house, standing in the public square, had been used by 
them. In April, 1820, however, the lot on the corner of Third and 
Brown Streets was purchased, and the stone church, the " old stone 
church," as it is familiarly called, was erected. For thirty-five years this 
was the Presbyterian church of Lewistown. 



l8o THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

It was in the spring of 1823 that Rev. James S. Woods became iden- 
tified with this church. Mr. Woods was licensed by the Presbytery of 
New Brunswick in October, 1818; received by the Presbytery of Hunt- 
ingdon on the 24th of November, 18 19, and at the same time accepted 
a call to Waynesburg for one-half his time, being ordained and installed 
there on April 5, 1820. On April i, 1823, he became stated supply of 
the Lewistown Church for one-half his time, serving as such until April 
7, 1824, when a call for one-half his time was placed in his hands. On 
April 28, 1824, he was duly installed as pastor. For about thirteen years 
he served these two churches. In the mean time the church at Lewis- 
town had developed sufficient strength to call Mr. Woods for his whole 
time. Consequently he was released from Waynesburg, which had also 
extended him a call for his whole time, to become pastor at Lewistown 
alone on the 5th of April, 1837. His pastorate here continued until the 
29th of June, 1862, the date of his death. 

During this pastorate, extending as it did over a period of thirty-nine 
years and three months, Hon. Ephraim Banks, Dr. Samuel McClay, 
Messrs. William Shaw, John Snyder, James Parker, Hugh McFadden, 
Samuel Barr, Joseph Strode, James Stev/art, and probably some others, 
were elected elders ; also most of the members of the present Session. 

The old stone church no longer meeting the needs of the growing 
congregation, steps were taken for the erection of a new edifice in 1854- 
55 to occupy the old site. This work was completed and the church for- 
mally dedicated on June 12, 1856. It was a substantial brick structure, 
with audience-room accommodating about six hundred, and large and 
well-lighted basement. The construction was by Mr. H. R. Noll, of 
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and the cost ten thousand seven hundred and 
twenty-seven dollars. The church was dedicated free from debt. 

This pastorate covered a period of general prosperity. The closing 
year showed a church with excellent property, with a membership of 
two hundred and sixty-eight, contributing fifteen hundred dollars for 
the Lord's work at home and abroad, and a Sabbath-school with two 
hundred and fifty members. A very remarkable revival, by which the 
church was greatly strengthened, occurred in the winter of 1842-43. 

The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon this faithful 
pastor and able preacher in the year 1850 by Princeton College. He 
was held in highest respect and honor by all. Large congregations at- 
tended his ministry, and his funeral is reported as being the largest ever 
held in this county. His influence is still felt in this church. 



^B WF 





LHVVISTOWN. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. I8l 

The work thus laid down by Dr. Woods was taken up a few weeks 
later by Rev. Oliver O. McClean. He was formally received by the 
Presbytery on October 7, 1862, and soon afterwards installed as pastor. 
In June, 1869, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon 
him by Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg. This was another of those 
long, prosperous and influential pastorates, rounding out a term of 
twenty-two years. 

Several remarkable revivals occurred during Dr. McClean's ministry 
here, and large numbers were gathered into the church. That attended 
with the most powerful manifestation of the Spirit's presence was in 

1875- 

There was also a steady increase in the benevolent and congrega- 
tional offerings during this period. Three thousand one hundred and 
eighty-eight dollars is the sum reported for the work at home and 
abroad for the year 1884, the last year of Dr. McClean's pastorate, 
against fifteen hundred dollars twenty-two years before. 

A large and excellent pipe organ was put into the church, the present 
parsonage and lot were purchased, and some improvements made to 
the church building under him. 

Dr. McClean resigned on the 7th of October, 1884, and has since 
lived quietly with his daughters among the people he served so long 
and well, beloved by all. 

After a vacancy of one year, Rev. John Gourley, now of Lancaster, 
Ohio, became pastor of the church, remaining as such for six years and 
eight months. He was formally received by Huntingdon Presbytery on 
October 7, 1885, and installed October 14; his resignation took effect June 
I, 1892. There was a good degree of prosperity during this time. The 
accessions to the membership of the church were constant and many, 
while the benevolent and congregational offerings rose above the mark 
of former years, reaching three thousand four hundred and twenty-seven 
dollars for the year ending March 31, 1892. Improvements were made 
in the lecture and Sabbath-school rooms during this pastorate. The 
people still give testimony to Mr. Gourley's fidelity to the truth and to his 
service of sympathy to the afflicted. 

The fifth ordained pastor of the Lewistown Church is Rev. William 
Harrison Decker. Mr. Decker was licensed by the Presbytery of New- 
ton, April 14, 1887, and ordained by the Presbytery of Albany, June 20, 
1888. Graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary in May, 1888, 
he was called to the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church of Albany, 



1 82 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

New York, which he served until the last of April, 1893. The Lewis- 
town call was made on the 8th of March, 1893; his reception by the 
Presbytery of Huntingdon in June, and his installation June 21 of the 
same year. 

The audience- and lecture-rooms of the church were thoroughly 
renovated during the fall and winter of 1893-94. These improvements 
consisted of frescoed walls and ceilings in both rooms ; the removal of 
the organ to the recess behind the pulpit ; organ and pulpit platforms 
and furniture in oak ; oak pews, arranged in semicircular form ; cushions 
and drapery ; together with electric light and steam-heating plant. The 
cost of the whole was about six thousand dollars. 

The present Session of the church consists of D. W. Woods, Esq., 
Mr. W. R. Graham, General T. F. McCoy, and Major R. W. Patton. 
All, with the exception of the last-named elder, were elected and or- 
dained under Rev. James S. Woods, D.D. Mr. F. G. Franciscus, an 
elder for twenty- four years, died on June 7, 1895. 

The annual average of the benevolent and congregational offerings of 
the church during the last three years is as follows : home missions, six 
hundred and fifty-five dollars ; foreign missions, five hundred and eighty- 
seven dollars ; other church boards and miscellaneous purposes, five hun- 
dred and twenty-one dollars ; congregational, four thousand and forty 
dollars. The present membership is three hundred and seventy-six. 

A Sabbath-school was organized in the early history of this church. 
Hon. Ephraim Banks was among the first, if not the first superintendent. 
He was followed by John H. Hickok, in 1831 or 1832, who continued in 
office for a year or two. Then the Hon. Ephraim Banks was re-elected, 
and served several years, being succeeded by Mr. William Russell. In 
1855, D. W. Woods, Esq., was elected to this position, and has continued 
to the present time. In the mean time he has given away over three hun- 
dred handsome Bibles to scholars for reciting the Shorter Catechism. 

The church has a flourishing Young People's Society of Christian 
Endeavor, a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, a Woman's Home 
Missionary Society, and a Young Ladies' Missionary Society. 

William Harrison Decker. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 83 

LICK RUN. 

In the year 1796 a small number of pioneers of Scotch and Irish 
descent, from Cumberland Valley, having settled in Bald Eagle and 
Nittany Valleys, made application to the Presbytery of Huntingdon to 
establish a church within their bounds. 

Rev. Isaac Greer and Rev. James Johnston, of Huntingdon Presby- 
tery, were appointed a committee for the purpose. 

A congregation was regularly organized by said committee in the 
month of October, 1798. At the same time a Session was also elected 
and ordained, consisting of William Swansey, Thomas Wilson, David 
Lamb, John Mitchell, and James McClure, 

The sacraments of baptism and Lord's Supper were also regularly 
administered near the same place where the church now stands. The 
exact number of communicants is not known, but has been estimated at 
twenty or thirty, from the fact of their having elected so many members 
of Session. 

This congregation was without a pastor from October, 1798, until the 
spring of 1803. In the mean time supplies were sent by Presbytery 
and baptism and the Lord's supper occasionally administered. 

It is probable that the present house of worship was erected in 1803, 
as the deed for the church lot is dated August i, 1802. 

Early in the year 1803 a call from the united congregations of Belle- 
fonte and Lick Run was extended to Rev. Henry R. Wilson, which was 
accepted. Rev. Wilson ministered unto the people until October, 180^, 
when the pastoral relation between him and the churches was dissolved, 
and calls were presented for the service of Rev. James Linn. These 
calls were accepted, and Rev. Linn was ordained and installed in Belle- 
fonte and Lick Run congregations in April, 18 10. The relation thus 
formed continued in the most uninterrupted harmony until 1839, when 
it was dissolved so far as related to Lick Run, Rev. Linn deeming it his 
duty to appropriate all his time to Bellefonte congregation. The list of 
communicants for the year 1839, when Rev. Linn's labors ceased, was 
two hundred and forty- one. 

A call was presented to Rev. Samuel Cooper and accepted, and Rev. 
Cooper was ordained and installed in October, 1840. 

• In the spring of 1852, Rev. Cooper severed his pastoral relation with 
Lick Run. During his ministerial relation the church at Lick Run wit- 
nessed her most prosperous days. 



1 84 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

At the same meeting of Presbytery that terminated the connection 
of Rev. Cooper with Lick Run a call was presented for the pastoral 
labors of Rev. William I. Gibson, which was finally accepted, and Rev. 
Gibson was regularly installed pastor in August, 1852. In the year 
1863 he gave notice of his desire to resign the charge of Lick Run 
Church with a view to accept a chaplaincy in the army. The congre- 
gation having given their consent, the pastoral relation was dissolved. 

In November Rev. J. A. Patterson, who had been ordained as an 
evangelist in view of going on a foreign mission, accepted a call from the 
congregation of Lick Run, was installed in due time, and remained 
pastor thereof until December 31, 1864, when he departed this life. 

In November, 1865, a call was extended to Rev. John P. Hudson, of 
Northumberland Presbytery; he accepted the call and was installed. 
In April, 1870, the pastoral relation between Rev. Hudson and Lick 
Run congregation was dissolved. 

The church was without a pastor for a period of three years, when a 
call was extended to Rev. U. W. Condit in 1873, which was accepted 
and Rev. Condit was installed. There is no record of Rev. Condit's 
services after 1874. 

The writer is unable to gather any history of the period from 1874 
to 1876. A call was extended to and accepted by Rev. McNinch, who 
was installed in 1876. Rev. McNinch's pastoral relation with Lick Run 
Church was dissolved. 

In January, 1880, a call was extended to Rev. S. S. Wallen, which 
was accepted, and Rev. Wallen was installed. He remained with Lick 
Run congregation as its pastor until October, 1882. 

From 1882 to 1884 Lick Run congregation was supplied by Hunt- 
ingdon Presbytery. 

In 1884 a call from the united congregations of Hublersburg, Miles- 
burg, and Lick Run was extended to Rev. W. O. Wright. These calls 
were accepted, and Rev. Wright was installed. In i8go. Rev. Wright's 
pastoral relation with Lick Run and Hublersburg was dissolved. 

Since 1890 Hublersburg and Lick Run have been supplied by 
Huntingdon Presbytery until the present year, when Hublersburg dis- 
solved, and now Lick Run stands alone and is supplied by Huntingdon 
Presbytery. 

James Irvine. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 85 

LITTLE VALLEY. 

To write an accurate and satisfactory history of Little Valley Pres- 
byterian Church at the present day is no easy task. First, because most 
of the older members, from whom reliable information might have been 
obtained, have left this sphere of action and gone up to the General 
Assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written in 
heaven. And, secondly, because the original records of the Session are 
not now accessible, they having been either lost or destroyed during the 
mental disability of one of its clerks, who, though a very good and 
excellent man, yet lost the use of his reason and died by his own hand, 
thus leaving us without any official historical record for a period of 
nearly sixty years. 

The original name of the church was Dry Valley, but this was sub- 
sequently changed to that of Little Valley, in order to correspond more 
nearly to the place of its location. Dry Valley and Little Valley are 
separated by a ridge or elevation of land running east and west between 
them ; and though the membership of the church and congregation are 
residents of both these valleys, yet, as the church property is located in 
the latter, so it was thought best that the church should be called by the 
name of Little Valley Presbyterian Church. 

It is undoubtedly one of the oldest churches in the Presbytery of 
Huntingdon, and very likely one of the original churches within its 
bounds at the time of the Presbytery's organization, in April of 1795. 
We have sought in vain for the date of its organization and for the 
names of the persons concerned in effecting it. But as in the old minute- 
book of the Presbytery it is referred to as early as 1 80 1 as being a part 
of the charge of the Rev. James Johnston, who so long and ably acted 
as pastor of East Kishacoquillas and Dry Valley (now Little Valley), so 
we may safely conclude that its existence dates back to the seventeenth 
century, and that it was one of the original churches of the Presbytery 
when the latter was organized. 

At all events, it is evident that Mr. Johnston continued to act as 
pastor of these two churches up to the time of his death, on the 3d of 
January, 1820. Dr. Gibson, in his " History of Huntingdon Presbytery," 
says that " he" — i.e., Mr. Johnston — " was licensed by the Presbytery of 
Donegal October 11, 1783, and ordained by the same Presbytery August 
19, 1784, and installed pastor of East Kishacoquillas congregation. 
West Kishacoquillas was comprehended in his charge, though it does 



1 86 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

not appear that he was installed over the latter as a separate congre- 
gation. However, he was released from the charge of the West end 
by the Presbytery of Huntington October 5, 1796, but remained 
pastor of the East church, in comiection with Little Valley, till the time 
of his death." It thus appears that he was this church's first pastor. 
He was an able and scriptural preacher, a faithful and sympathetic pas- 
tor, and a man greatly esteemed by the people of both parts of his 
charge for his many virtues and for the important work which he ac- 
complished during his ministerial life. His memory is still precious in 
the community where he lived and labored so acceptably and so faith- 
fully. His remains lie buried in the old Kishacoquillas Cemetery, near 
Reedsville, Pennsylvania, awaiting "the resurrection of the just." 

After Mr. Johnston's death the congregations, which he had served 
for a period of about thirty-six years, appeared before Presbytery, by 
their commissioners, on October 4, 1820, and asked that Mr. Samuel 
Hill, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Ronte, in Ireland, might be ap- 
pointed to supply them for a period of one year. Their request was 
complied with, and Mr. Hill became their stated supply. The next year, 
the congregations, being well satisfied with the ministrations of Mr. Hill, 
made out formal calls for him, which being found in order by Presbytery, 
and placed in his hands, were accepted by him. And on the 3d day of 
October, 1821, he was ordained and installed pastor of East Kishaco- 
quillas for two-thirds of his time at a salary of four hundred dollars a 
year, and of Little Valley for one- third of his time at a salary of two 
hundred dollars a year. After continuing to be pastor of these two con- 
gregations for a little over four years, Mr. Hill applied to Presbytery for 
permission to resign his pastoral charge. The congregations yielded a 
reluctant consent, for his ministry among them had been marked by 
great success, and many additions were made to the church during his 
incumbency. But, nevertheless, the Presbytery acceded to his request, 
the pastoral relation was dissolved February 6, 1825, and he was dis- 
missed to the Presbytery of Monongahela, with a view of accepting a 
call to the First Associate Reformed Congregation of Pittsburg. But 
though he united with the Presbytery of Monongahela and removed 
with his family to Pittsburg, he refused to be installed over the congre- 
gation which had called him. The reasons for this refusal are not cer- 
tainly known. But it is generally supposed that they grew out of the 
fact that he was a strong advocate for temperance. Some of the people 
of the new charge, and even members of the church, were engaged in 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 8/ 

the liquor traffic in its most objectionable forms. And being unable to 
hold his peace relative to this iniquity, and foreseeing the storm that his 
interference would occasion, he thought it would be best for him to retire. 
And so he "shook off the dust of his feet, as a testimony against them," 
and returned to the bounds of Huntingdon Presbytery. Here he con- 
tinued to live and labor either as pastor or stated supply of various con- 
gregations till age and infirmity bade him cease. And he, at length, died 
at the home of his youngest son, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on the 
14th of March, 1872, in the eighty-first year of his age. He was a 
sound theologian, an able and instructive preacher, a devoted pastor, and 
the instrument of winning many souls to Christ. 

After the retirement of Mr. Hill the congregations of East and West 
Kishacoquillas and Little Valley were supplied for some time by Mr. 
James H. Stuart, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. He 
received calls from each of these congregations, — from East Kishaco- 
quillas for two-thirds of his time, and from each of the others for one- 
third of his time. After some deliberation he accepted those from East 
and West Kishacoquillas, and was installed as their pastor on the 26th 
of October, 1827. He only labored among them but a short time, for 
his health gave way, and he died February 27, 1829, and was buried in 
the cemetery of the East Kishacoquillas Church. 

At the fall meeting of the Presbytery of 1 8 30 calls were presented 
for the services of the Rev. William Annan, a member of the Presbytery 
of Baltimore, from the united congregations of West Kishacoquillas and 
Little Valley. Mr. Annan had previously labored for some time among 
the people of this charge, but, not having obtained his dismission from 
the Baltimore Presbytery, they could not be put into his hands. At a 
subsequent meeting, however, he, having received his certificate of dis- 
mission from his Presbytery, presented it, and was accordingly received 
into this Presbytery and installed as pastor of the above-named congre- 
gations. Here he wrought with great success for several years. But 
finding the distance between the churches too great, and West Kishaco- 
quillas being willing to try to keep a minister themselves, he withdrew 
from there and confined his labors entirely to Little Valley. This was 
perhaps the period of the church's greatest prosperity. Many accessions 
were made, and the membership rose to over two hundred. The whole 
Valley was settled mainly by Presbyterians, and members or adherents 
of that church owned the farms, and cultivated the lands, and carried on 
the various branches of business. Mr. Annan was a great advocate of 



1 88 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

temperance, and by his public teaching and his private conversation he 
trained the people to that virtue, induced them to put the bottle out of 
the hay-field and out of their homes, and to abstain entirely from the use 
of all intoxicating liquors as a beverage. And the good effects of this 
teaching" are seen at the present day, for there are few communities where 
temperance principles are so much in the ascendant as in Little and Dry 
Valleys. 

At the fall meeting of Presbytery of 1835 Mr. Annan resigned his 
charge, and was dismissed to the Presbytery of Redstone. He was a 
tall and stately-looking man, sound in the faith, and earnest and zealous 
in his Master's work. He became editor of the Presbyterian Advocate, 
the predecessor of the Presbyterian Banner, at Pittsburg, and wrote a 
very able book entitled " The Difficulties of Arminian Methodism." 

The church was supplied for a time by ministers appointed by Pres- 
bytery, until on April 4, 1837, calls were presented for the pastoral ser- 
vices of Mr. Moses Floyd, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, 
from the congregations of West Kishacoquillas and Little Valley. These 
were accepted by him, and at an adjourned meeting of Presbytery, held 
at Little Valley in the month of June following, he was ordained and 
installed. 

Mr. Floyd continued to labor earnestly and faithfully for the welfare 
of his flock until, in the year 1842, he resigned his charge at Little 
Valley, and confined himself to West Kishacoquillas, the other part of 
his field. He labored there for several years longer, and then retired to 
his farm, near Bellville, Pennsylvania, supplying vacant churches as op- 
portunity presented, and, at length, removed to the home of his married 
son in Pittsburg, where he died. 

In 1843 Mr. Daniel Lawrence Hughes, a licentiate of the Presbytery 
of West Jersey, was called to the pastoral charge of Little Valley con- 
gregation. And on the 9th day of January, 1844, Presbytery held an 
adjourned meeting at Little Valley Church, and ordained and installed 
Mr. Hughes as its pastor. He wrought here with good success, teach- 
ing also a classical school in Lewistown part of the time, until, at an 
adjourned meeting of Presbytery held at Spruce Creek, June 13, 1848, 
the pastoral relation between him and Little Valley Church was dissolved, 
and he was called to and installed as pastor over the congregations of 
Spruce Creek and Pine Grove. In 1853 a call was presented to Mr. 
Hughes from Altoona First Church for two-thirds of his time, which 
he declined. At the fall meeting of Presbytery, this year, he was re- 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. ibQ 

leased from his pastoral relation to Pine Grove, and was called to, and 
installed pastor of, Sinking Valley for half his time, the other half being 
still devoted to Spruce Creek First Church. At length, actuated by an 
ardent desire to do missionary work in the far West, Mr. Hughes resigned 
as pastor of these churches and removed to the State of Iowa, where 
for twenty-five years he wrought ably, faithfully, and successfully in 
founding new churches, strengthening weak ones, and extending the 
Master's cause generally. Some years ago he returned, and united with 
this Presbytery, and supplied the churches of Petersburg and Shaver's 
Creek. But through impaired health he had to close his labors, and is 
now living among his old friends and neighbors in otiiim cjiin dignitate, 
at Cape May, New Jersey. He has been a sound, able, self-denying, and 
successful minister of the gospel. 

In April, 1849, the Rev. James Smith succeeded Mr. Hughes as 
pastor of Little Valley Church. He did not, however, remain long, but 
after several years of earnest and faithful labor he resigned, and subse- 
quently became pastor of the Church of Mount Joy, in Donegal — now 
Westminster — Presbytery. From thence he removed to HoUidaysburg, 
Pennsylvania, where he died in 1874 of spinal disease, with which he 
had long been afflicted. He was a most excellent and amiable man, and 
held in high esteem by all who had the pleasure of his acquaint- 
ance. 

At an adjourned meeting of Presbytery held at Little Valley, No- 
vember 13, 1855, a call was put into the hands of Mr. Thomas P. Spears 
from the congregation of Little Valley, and accepted by him, and he was 
accordingly ordained and installed as pastor of that church. He con- 
tinued to serve in this capacity till April 13, 1858, when the pastoral re- 
lation was dissolved, and at the stated meeting of Presbytery, in the fall 
of the same year, he was dismissed to the Presbytery of New Lisbon, in 
Ohio. It is believed he still resides in that State, though whether en- 
gaged in the active work of the ministry is to us not known. 

About this time two ministers — viz., the Rev. Samuel M. Cooper 
and the Rev. James Williamson — served the congregation as stated 
supplies for a time, when, at an adjourned meeting of Presbytery, held 
at Tyrone in June, i860, the Rev. John B. Strain was called and settled 
as pastor of Little Valley. Mr. Strain, it appears, was an original Aboli- 
tionist, and as the war between the North and the South was raging about 
this time, and as Mr. Strain was not very prudent in the expression of his 
views, the congregation was much disturbed and distracted thereby, and 



190 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

the Presbytery had to be appealed to several times to interfere, with a 
view to quell the disturbances. At length, on the 2ist of January, 1863, 
the pastoral relation was dissolved, and Mr. Strain soon after removed 
to the State of Ohio. 

On October 21, 1864, the Rev. William Prideaux was received as a 
member of Presbytery from the Presbytery of Carlisle. A call was 
placed in his hands from the Little Valley Church and accepted by him, 
and on the 17th of November following he was duly installed as pastor. 
He continued to serve as such until the spring of 1867, when the pastoral 
relation was dissolved, and Mr. Prideaux has continued to do missionary 
work in the bounds of the Presbytery every since. He has " endured 
hardness as a good soldier of the cross" for many years. He resides at 
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and though in the eighty-third year of his age 
continues to preach, and supply vacant churches, as occasion may require. 

In June, 1868, the Rev. John P. Clarke, of the Presbytery of New 
Castle, was received into the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and became 
pastor of the church of Little Valley, having been called by the con- 
gregation on January 19, 1868, and duly installed by a committee of 
Presbytery. He served efficiently and acceptably till October 8, 1873, 
when at his request the pastoral relation was dissolved, and he was dis- 
missed to accept a call to the church of Danville, in the Presbytery of 
Newton, New Jersey. 

The Rev. W. C. Kuhn was next called to the pastorate, April 15, 
1874, but he declined the call June 9, 1874. 

The church now extended a call to the Rev. John McKean, of the 
Presbytery of Carlisle, October 7, 1874, which he accepted, and was 
duly installed. He served the congregation as pastor until some time in 
1877, when the pastoral relation was dissolved. He supplied several 
vacant churches in the bounds of the Presbytery until, on April 14, 1886, 
he was dismissed and removed to Kansas, where, as far as known, he 
still lives, but not in the active work of the ministry. 

The Rev. George Chapelle was received into the Presbytery from 
some Baptist organization on October 2, 1878, and appointed stated 
supply of Little Valley Church October 9, 1879. He continued to serve 
the church in this capacity until the spring of 1888, when, by authority 
of Presbytery, the churches of Little Valley and Milroy were united into 
one pastoral charge, each to receive preaching one-half of the time. 
To this arrangement both churches assented. Mr. Chapelle was trans- 
ferred to Kylertown, in Clearfield County, where he still resides, though. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. I9I 

on account of age and infirmity, not in the active work of the ministry. 
The Rev. R. M. Wallace, who had served the church of Milroy for a 
number of years as stated supply, was, by authority of Presbytery and 
the cordial assent of both congregations, appointed the stated supply of 
the recently united churches. Mr. Wallace labored faithfully and suc- 
cessfully in this field until, in the fall of 1 894, a part of the congregation 
of Milroy, notwithstanding their agreement and the arrangement made 
by Presbytery, contended that the minister should live among them all 
the time. The unreasonableness of this is apparent from the fact that 
Little Valley could set up precisely the same claim, and with a great 
deal more force, seeing that it is the older and numerically the stronger 
church of the two. The result was that Little Valley declined to be a 
party to any such move, and petitioned Presbytery to let them have Dr. 
Wallace as their minister all the time, promising to give him the best 
support they possibly could. This request was acceded to, and he is, 
accordingly, now (1895) serving as their pastor. 

CHURCH BUILDING. 

The original house of worship was a log structure, which was erected 
on the site of the present edifice. The lot on which it stood, consisting 
of three-quarters of an acre, was given by Moses Kelly, after whom the 
village was commonly called, and subsequently deeded to Francis Boggs, 
Samuel Alexander, and James Nixon, trustees of the Presbyterian con- 
gregation. At what time the original building was put up or how long 
it was used as a place of worship cannot now be determined. But in 
process of time it was moved across the public road, and now consti- 
tutes the west end of Mrs. Thompson Bell's residence. The present 
frame structure was erected in its place, and was at first entered by two 
door-ways on the north side, the pulpit being on the south side, rising 
high up towards the ceiling. The congregation sat in high-back pews 
and looked up at an angle of about forty-five degrees towards the min- 
ister, while the clerk or precentor sat in front of the pulpit and led the 
singing, which was largely congregational. The building was subse- 
quently remodelled, the two doors on the north side closed, a single 
entrance with a vestibule made at the east end, and the pulpit placed in 
the west, as at present. Here the gospel has been faithfully preached 
for nearly three-quarters of a century, and this house of God has been 
the scene of many precious revivals of religion, and has often been made 
" the Gate of Heaven" to the souls of God's waiting people. 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



RULING ELDERS. 



The ruling elders in Little Valley Church, so far as we can trace them, 
have been as follows, — viz. : Francis Boggs, Jacob Hoover, Henry Long, 
Thomas Cunningham, Samuel Alexander, William H. Huey, Samuel Sig- 
ler, James H. Alexander, Thomas Reed, John C. Kearns, Joseph Kearns, 
Henry P. Alexander, Thomas Stoneroad, Samuel Sterrett, Jacob Sigler, 
Joseph Baker, Samuel Barr, Peter Townsend, and William Ingram. 

Mr. Johnston Sigler and Charles Mitchell were duly elected elders, 
the former on March 19, 1866, and the latter on September i, 1873, but 
through diffidence or from some other cause declined to serve. 

TRUSTEES. 

The names of those who have served as trustees are Francis Boggs, 
Johnston Sigler, Samuel Sterrett, Samuel Alexander, Samuel Mitchell, 
Robert A. Sigler, James Nixon, Henry P. Alexander, R. Bruce Stewart, 
Oscar Alexander, Willis F. Kearns. 

THE SABBATH-SCHOOL. 

The Sabbath-school of Little Valley Presbyterian Church was or- 
ganized in the spring of 1828, principally as the result of a series of ad- 
dresses delivered by Mr. Joseph B. Adams, a young man just out of the 
Theological Seminary at Princeton, and who was employed as an agent 
of the American Sunday-School Union. The first officers of the school 
were Mr. John Bell, superintendent; Mr. Abraham Rothrock (after- 
wards Dr. Rothrock, a ruling elder in McVeytown Church), assistant 
superintendent ; Mrs. Henry Long, treasurer; Miss Mary Long (afterwards 
Mrs. Thomas Reed), librarian. None of these survive at the present day. 

In 1838 Mr. Bell, having served as superintendent of the school for 
a period of ten years, died, and was succeeded in office by Mr. Henry 
Long, who served five years, and died in 1843. During his superinten- 
dency — namely, in 1842 — the Methodist families in the neighborhood 
obtained a separate organization, known as the Dry Valley Methodist 
Episcopal Sabbath-School. Mr. Samuel Sharpe succeeded Mr. Long in 
the Presbyterian school, and served one year, when, removing from the 
neighborhood, he was succeeded by Mr. James H. Alexander in 1845, 
who continued to serve faithfully and efficiently to the day of his death, 
1893, a period of forty-nine years! The present officers are Dr. R. M. 
V^dWz.cQ, ex-officio superintendent; Mr. Joseph Bawn, assistant superin- 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 93 

tendent ; Miss Alice Sigler, treasurer; Miss Florence McManamy, 
secretary; Mr. Albert Alexander, librarian ; and Mrs. Martha Mitchell, 
superintendent of the infant department. 

Little Valley has been in an eminent degree a " mother church," 
and has not only sent out large numbers of members to recruit and 
strengthen other churches, but has also contributed very largely to the 
Presbyterian ministry. The following-named ministers were raised and 
trained in her bounds and given to the church at large, viz. : 

Rev. Joel Stoneroad, now deceased ; Rev. John E. Alexander, D.D., 
living at Greenville, Tennessee ; Rev. Hugh Alexander, living at Cul- 
peper, Virginia; Rev. William C. Alexander, D.D., living at Georgetown, 
District of Columbia ; Rev. John C. Barr, living at Tyrone, Pennsylvania ; 
Rev. J. Edmund Kearns, now deceased ; Rev. J. Vernon Bell, living at 
Dubois, Pennsylvania ; and Rev. D. A. K. Preston, of Bellevue, Iowa. 

R. M. Wallace. 



LOGAN'S VALLEY (BELLWOOD). 

At an early day occasional services under the auspices of the Pres- 
byterian Church were held in Logan's Valley. A few members of that 
communion had found their way into this secluded region, and for their 
convenience the pastors of the churches in adjacent valleys preached at 
intervals. The inhabitants in the eastern part of the valley were depend- 
ent upon the ministrations of the pastor of the church of Sinking Valley, 
whilst those of the Presbyterian communion in the western part, in the 
vicinity of the present city of Altoona, were under the care of the church 
of HoUidaysburg. As early as 1835 the Rev. Samuel Hill, at that time 
pastor of the church of Sinking Valley, preached one-sixth of his time 
within the limits of this valley, thereby bringing the ordinances within the 
reach of families attached to his congregation on the west side of Brush 
Mountain. The central point of this Presbyterian population was in the 
vicinity of McCamant's Forge, and here in 1837 a church was organized 
with twenty-three members. John Campbell and James Hunter were 
elected and ordained as ruling elders. The former continued to serve the 
congregation in this capacity with great acceptance for nearly fifty years, 
but the latter after a few years laid aside the active duties of the office. 

In 1845 a church building was erected near the present village of 
Tipton on a piece of ground donated by Graham McCamant, Esq., who 

13 



194 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

was an active and devoted friend of the enterprise. For a time the 
church increased in numbers, but their inabihty to maintain the stated 
means of grace made them dependent upon occasional supplies appointed 
by Presbytery, and to that extent the growth of the newly-organized 
church was impeded. 

The names of Revs. Samuel Hill, Dr. W. J. Gibson, John White, John 
McKinney, Dr. David McKinney, David Sterrett, and others appear as 
supplies sent by Presbytery to look after the scattered flock and admin- 
ister at long intervals the sacraments of the church. During this time 
the church was more frequently supplied by Dr. W. J. Gibson, and his 
ministry is a pleasant memory among the people to this day. A con- 
troversy on the subject of baptism with Rev. Dr. Adie K. Bell gained 
him reputation as a disputant, and helped to settle the vexed doctrinal 
question in the religious circles of the valley. 

In 1856 the Rev. J. J. Hamilton became stated supply, and for three 
years the church, enjoying a stated ministry, was considerably strength- 
ened. In the following year, after his surrender of the charge, the church 
was grouped with that of Birmingham and the newly-organized church 
of Tyrone, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. H. Barnard. This ar- 
rangement after a short time was interrupted by the resignation of Mr. 
Barnard, and his transfer to Bellefonte as co-pastor with Dr. Linn. In 
1861 Rev. Orr Lawson became pastor of the churches of Sinking Valley 
and Logan's Valley. Under this arrangement the church entered upon 
a new career of prosperity. The ordinances were regularly maintained, 
and a healthy growth was the consequence. This pastoral relation con- 
tinued until 1867, when Mr. Lawson resigned the care of this church, 
but retained his connection with Sinking Valley. During the balance 
of that year and a part of the following the Rev. R. F. Wilson, the 
present stated clerk of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, preached for the 
congregation. In May, 1868, the Rev. J. H. Mathers began his work as 
pastor, and was shortly thereafter installed. This relation has remained 
unchanged until the present time, extending over a period of more than 
twenty-seven years. At the beginning of this pastorate the number of 
communicants was sixty ; at present it is about two hundred, many of 
whom reside in the village of Bellwood and vicinity. 

When this church was organized it was the only Presbyterian con- 
gregation within the limits of Logan's Valley, and now there are six 
others occupying the same territory, and among them several of the 
strongest churches of the Presbytery. The selection of this valley as 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 95 

the route of the great Pennsylvania Railroad attracted a large popula- 
tion to its borders. The cities of Altoona in the western extremity and 
of Tyrone on the eastern border contain a large Presbyterian population 
and form a hopeful field for Christian work. 

In 1865 a church building was erected near Bell's Mills, which for 
years had been an outpost of the congregation, where services were held 
for the convenience of the members residing in the vicinity. The sub- 
sequent growth of Bell's Mills (now Bellwood) made it necessary to 
abandon this structure and erect another nearer the centre of population, 
and accordingly the brick building in which the congregation now wor- 
ships in the borough of Bellwood was erected and occupied in 1883. 
A convenient and comfortable manse was built upon the church property 
in the autumn of 1887. 

The following persons have been connected with the Session of the 
church during these years, viz. : 

Name. 

John Campbell 

James Hunter 

D. G. Hunter 

John Kratzer 

B. F. Bell 

Thomas McCauley 

James K. Henry 

S. G. Wilson 

Rowan Clarke, M.D 

D. L. Wray 

William Geesey 

F. W. Shaffer 

Thomas Fleck 

W. H. Morrow, M.D 

William Fuoss 

L. W. Irwin 



Yea 


r. 


1S37-18S4. 


1837-1843. 


1843- 


1863. 


1843-1857- 


1856- 


1877. 


1856- 


1863. 


1863- 


1865. 


1874- 


1888. 


1874- 


1881. 


1874. 




1878- 


1881. 


1883- 


1895 


1883. 




1889. 




1889. 




1889. 





The persons at present constituting the Session are D. L. Wray, 
Thomas Fleck, L. W. Irwin, William Fuoss, and W. H. Morrow, M.D. 
A short time after the centennial exercises of the Presbytery F. W, 
Shaffer, for years an efficient member of this body, passed to the rest 
of heaven, after vainly seeking relief from suffering through the agency 
of the surgeon's knife. It would not be amiss to refer to the invaluable 
services of John Campbell, Esq., who for nearly fifty years served the 
congregation in this capacity with great acceptance. His sturdy char- 
acter, his conscientiousness and personal integrity mingled respect and 



196 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

honor with his service. For many years B. F. Bell acceptably performed 
the functions of this office. His liberality and solicitude for the welfare 
of the church commanded the admiration of those who were interested 
in the prosperity of the organization. His counsel and sympathy and 
means were always generously used in advancing the interests of the 
church which he loved so well. He escaped from the deep sorrows of 
this mortal life more than half a score of years ago. For fourteen years 
S. G. Wilson, of Tipton, with great fidelity served the congregation as a 
ruling elder. His faith was far-reaching and childlike, and his love for 
the church of God was a passion. He died in a good old age, and his 
end partook of the glory of a translation. His eye seemed to rest upon 
the person of the One Invisible, and his eagerness to depart and be with 
Christ was Pauline. 

The church is well equipped for Christian work. A board of deacons, 
consisting of four members, Wm. A. Lytle, A. R. Irwin, F. M. Glasgow, 
and Albert McFarland, looks faithfully after the interests intrusted to its 
care. And under an act of incorporation the following trustees hold 
the church property in their custody, — viz. : Wm. Bush, Alex. M. Corn- 
messer, Hudson Irwin, Emory Wilson, and C. F. Kenote. 

The organization which was effected with many misgivings nearly 
sixty years ago has become a compact and earnest congregation. Its 
past history is to many of those connected with it an inspiration and a 
joy. May its usefulness increase and its influence extend as the years 
so rapidly vanish away. 

J. H. Mathers. 

LOST CREEK (McALISTERVILLE). 

From the year 1759 we may date the rise of this Presbyterian con- 
gregation, known originally as " Cedar Spring," situated half a mile from 
Cedar Spring, on the right-hand side of the road leading towards Mexico. 

About 1760 measures were taken to secure a public ministry. To 
secure the right of land for erecting a " meeting-house" and burial- 
ground from the government, James Patterson and James Purdy were 
sent to Philadelphia ; they secured a grant for two hundred acres. The 
people then began to erect a " meeting-house," each member furnishing 
some logs. The house was raised to about one story, when they were 
compelled to abandon it and flee for their hves, because of the uprising 
of the Indians. The building was, however, completed three years later 





^'"^^"'^^ ■■'./■./ 




1 

r ■ 
\ 




It ~ 


■ t 




\;* 


m \\ 


'\"Ak 




x^*. 


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Hi. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 97 

on the return of the settlers. The erection of this first house of wor- 
ship was wholly the work of the laity. It is supposed they were first 
visited by the ordained minister in 1766, when Rev. Charles Beatty and 
Rev. George Dufifield, who, being on their way as missionaries to the 
frontier in Ohio, stopped a few days and preached for them. 

Rev. J. Kennedy, a Presbyterian minister from the north of Ireland, 
began his labors in this church about 1771, which lasted for about four 
years. His relation to the congregation appears to have been merely a 
" stated supply." 

Rev. Hugh Magill, the first regular pastor, ordained in Ireland, 
was installed over Cedar Spring and Tuscarora congregations in 1779. 
His pastoral relation with this (the Cedar Spring) congregation con- 
tinued for twenty years. During the next three years the church was 
without a pastor, but the laity were none the less active. It was during 
this time (about 1800) that the "meeting-house" at Cedar Spring was 
abandoned and two other churches were erected instead, one at Mifflin- 
town and the other near McAlisterville. The McAlisterville portion of 
the congregation built a small log church in an oak grove about half a 
mile from town. In 1840 this was replaced by a brick building. This 
edifice was occupied till March 28, 1887, when it was decided, as the old 
structure was no longer safe and was too far out of town, to build a new 
church in the town of McAlisterville. The church, being finished, was 
dedicated May 6, 1888. Rev. R. M. Wallace, D.D., and Rev. R. F. 
Wilson conducted the service. It was found after the collection of the 
evening service that there was sufficient money to pay for the erection 
of the new building. 

For about seventy-five years the Mifflintown and McAlisterville 
branch had but one organization. The one bench of elders served for 
both branches of the church. 

Rev. Matthew Brown preached in this church in the fall of i8oi,but 
was not ordained and installed until the spring of 1802. His pastoral 
relation to the church lasted for three years. 

Mr. John Hutchison, who supplied the church during the summer of 
1805, was ordained and installed over both branches of the church at a 
meeting of Presbytery in the church at Lost Creek April 15, 1806. This 
was his only charge, which he faithfully served for thirty-eight years and 
six months. God alone saw fit to sever the relation between this people 
and much-beloved pastor November 11, 1844. 

Rev. Matthew Allison came from Philadelphia that same week and 



190 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

occupied the pulpit the following Sabbath. After preaching he was 
asked to supply the church till spring. He received a call March 26, 
1845, s^d was installed the following month. After serving this church 
as pastor for twenty-seven years, he departed from this world July 8, 
1872. 

Rev. T. J. Sherrard began his labors as co-pastor with Rev. Matthew 
Allison the first Sabbath in 1872. He was ordained and installed June 
II, 1872. But the following month Rev. Allison died, leaving him sole 
pastor. He resigned his pastoral relation April 8, 1875. His desire was 
to effect a division of the two branches of the church. This was accom- 
phshed at a meeting of Presbytery at Port Royal, April 13, 1875, at 
which time the congregation at the Mifflintown end of the church was 
granted a separate church organization. 

During the years previous to 1872 the arrangement between the two 
ends of the congregation was for Mifflintown to have three Sabbaths' 
preaching out of five, while Lost Creek received the services of the other 
two and paid two-fifths of the pastor's salary. At the beginning of 1872, 
Rev. Allison having a co-pastor, Rev. Sherrard, it was arranged that Lost 
Creek should have preaching every alternate Sabbath and pay half the 
pastor's salary. This arrangement continued until the division of the 
two branches of the church, April 13, 1875. 

For the next thirteen years Lost Creek was without a regular pastor. 
The laity, however, proved its loyalty to the church by erecting a new 
house of worship in the town of McAlisterville and tearing down the 
old structure. 

Emil Lewy received a call to the church, and was installed November 
13, 1888. He served the church until December 4, 1892 ; by his own 
request he was released. The church was again vacant for nearly two 
years. 

Rev. H. S. Welty was called April 28, 1894; he supplied the church 
from July i, 1894, till October 30 of the same year, when he was in- 
stalled as pastor. 

The present officers are : 

Pastor.— ^&v. H. S. Welty. 

Elders. — Edmund S. Jamison, served from August 13, 1858. 

Mr. William Harrison McAlister, who is in his eightieth year, with 
his maiden sister Sarah, the only survivors of that interesting and de- 
voted family of Presbyterians to which this church owes much of its 
success, was ordained March 21, 1886. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 1 99 

Mr. Michael Coldren was ordained March 21, 1886. 

Trustees. — The church has six trustees, two of which are elected each 
year to serve three years : J. Banks Wilson, Reuben Caveny, W. H. 
Moore, Milton Baer, George Martin, Steven Lloyd McAlister. 

H. S. Welty. 



LOWER SPRUCE CREEK. 

The Lower Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church was organized April 
29, 1 87 1, by a committee of Presbytery consisting of Rev. R. M. Wal- 
lace, Rev. J. J. Coale, and Elder Samuel McCamant. 

Previous to this date, during the pastorate of Rev. Coale at Sinking 
Valley, which began in the early part of 1870 (and even before this by 
other denominations), there had been regular preaching service held in 
the hall above the Spruce Creek school-house, which came to be known 
as the Union Church. 

Early in 1871 Rev. Coale conducted a series of evangelistic services 
here, with very marked results, and the time seemed ripe for the organi- 
zation of a church. With the recent converts, and with a large number 
of members from the Sinking Valley Church living in and about Spruce 
Creek, the organization was effected, consisting of fifty-one members, 
with Rev. J. J. Coale as pastor and Messrs. Sidney Thompson, M.D., 
Samuel C. Tussey, and Osborne Laird as elders. 

The congregation continued to worship in the Union Church until 
1872, when they erected a neat and comfortable brick edifice for their 
own use. 

The elders who have served the congregation thus far are the three 
above named, General Stuart, and the two now in service, Messrs. 
Thomas Davis and W. D. Isett. 

The pastorate of Rev. Coale terminated in the month of May, 1892, 
and at a congregational meeting held the 27th of December of the same 
year the present pastor, S. W. Young, then a licentiate and student in the 
Western Theological Seminary of Alleghany, was called for one-half his 
time at a salary of five hundred dollars. His installation took place on 
the 28th of May, 1893. From that time to July, 1895, there have been 
thirty-four persons added to the church, twenty-seven of this number 
being received on profession of faith. The present membership numbers 
seventy-five. 



200 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

While the spiritual prosperity of this church has been marked and 
the attendance upon divine worship very greatly increased, its financial 
growth has been no less so, and already many of her members are look- 
ing forward to the time when she can be an independent church, main- 
taining a pastor for the whole of his time. 

S. W. Young. 



LOWER TUSCARORA. 

This church, the oldest in the Huntingdon Presbytery, may be not 
less than one hundred and forty-five years old. The first settlers, who 
were Presbyterians, came into this Tuscarora Valley in 1749, and would 
not be long without a place and mode of worship. The first rude log 
building is reported to have been erected before the first missionary 
came to preach to them. It having been destroyed, and the inhabitants 
having fled from the country on account of the Indians, and having 
returned, they met again to worship in private houses. 

In 1766 Rev. Charles Beatty and Rev. John Duffield came and 
preached above and at Academia. 

In 1773 twenty acres of ground in Milford Township, now in part 
Beale Township, were given for the use of a Presbyterian society or 
congregation. On this land and about this date the second log church 
was built. In 1790 the third log church, hewn as to its timbers and 
with thirty-six sawn boards as to its seats, was erected. 

In 1 8 16 the stone church, now standing and plastered externally, 
was the fourth building erected, and is shown in part in the accompa- 
nying engraving, though altered internally, and as to its height and 
windows, for school purposes, it being the present Tuscarora Academy 
building. 

The fifth and present church edifice, shown in full in the accom- 
panying engraving, was constructed in 1849, and dedicated to God's 
service the following year, and has been greatly owned and blessed of 
God with revival upon revival scenes. 

The first called pastor to this church, in union with the Cedar Spring 
(now McAlisterville) Church, was Rev. Mr. Rhea. He was called in 
1 77 1, but never installed. The first installed pastor was the Rev. Hugh 
Magill. In connection with Cedar Spring Church this first pastorate 
began in November, 1779, and continued until April, 1796. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 201 

A little confusion exists as to the number and names of all the elders 
up to this date, or the year 1800, when the next pastor appears on the 
ground. William Bell, Esq., and John Williams are asserted to have 
been the first elders, but the records of Presbytery show the names of 
the following persons as attendant upon its Sessions : John Boggs, John 
Armstrong, William Waddle, Jonathan McCoy, William Graham, and 
William Sterrett, in addition to the two named above. 

In December, 1799, -^^^- John Coulter appeared on the field and 
preached Sabbath, January i, i8co. He was installed August 11, iSor, 
and on August 14, 1 801, also over Middle Tuscarora Church, some 
eight miles farther up the valley. His united pastorate over these two 
churches continued for thirty-three years, until his death, June 22, 1834. 
He built up both churches greatly, both in number and in power. He 
advocated temperance when the still-house abounded. He started the 
first Sunday-school hereabout. 

The following elders were installed during his ministry : Thomas 
Gilson (Rev. R. F. W. gives in an account William as the Christian 
name), John Patterson, Esq., Hugh Alexander, John Kelly, Esq. (Rev. 
R. F. W. omits the last and gives William Irvin). 

The third regular pastor was Rev. McKnight Williamson, who 
preached November, 1834, and was installed early in 1835 and continued 
ten years, until April 14, 1845. He organized the Tuscarora Academy, 
in 1836, at Academia. He also built the first portion of the parsonage 
at that place. The picture of the parsonage as it has been twice en- 
larged is given in the accompanying engraving. It was about one-third 
that size at first. 

March 22, 1837, were elected and April 2 installed the following 
elders : David Alexander (omitted by R, F. W.), James Hughes, Esq. 
(given as David Joseph by R. F. W.), William Sterrett. 

In 1842 one hundred and eight were added to the church. 

February 16, 1844, were elected and March 10, 1844, were installed 
the following elders : James Patterson, John Jacobs, James McLaughlin, 
John Koons, and Joseph Kelly, M.D. 

The fourth pastor was Rev. Benjamin H. Campbell, who was in- 
stalled April, 1846, and continued a few months in 1846. He died 
December 31, 1848, in York, Pennsylvania. 

The fifth pastor was Rev. George W. Thompson, D.D. He was 
installed April 20, 1847, 9-"<^ continued until his death, January 28, 1864. 
He preached also at Church Hill until 1852, when the present Port 



202 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Royal Church building (then called Perryville) was erected and occu- 
pied as a part of the Lower Tuscarora charge. The Tuscarora Acad- 
emy and Female Seminary at Academia and the Airy View Academy 
at Perryville flourished in those days, and very many young men and 
women united with the church, and entered eminent walks of usefulness 
in the church and the world as the result of these intellectual and 
Christian influences. The memory of this minister remains precious to 
this day. 

The following elders were elected December 21, 1855, and installed 
January, 1856: Elias Gruver, John McLaughlin, John Williams, Daniel 
E. Flickinger, W. Boyd Gilson, John P. Kelly, George W. Strouse, 
James Patterson, and James Patton. 

December 5, 1856, Joseph Pomeroy was elected and installed 
elder. 

The sixth pastor was Rev. S. J. Milliken, who was installed in 1866 
and resigned April, 1870. During this ministry William Gruver and 
D. D. Stone were elected and installed elders. 

The seventh pastor was Rev. L. B. W. Shryock, who was installed in 
1 87 1 and resigned 1875. During his ministry Samuel McLaughlin and 
L. J. Barton were elected and installed elders. 

The eighth pastor was Rev. J. C. Oliver, who was installed in 1875 
and resigned 1884. 

The ninth pastor was Rev. C. S. Dewing, who was installed in 1884 
and resigned 1886. 

The tenth pastor was Rev. J. S. Woodburn, who was installed in 1886 
and resigned in 1888. 

The eleventh pastor was Rev. S. A. Davenport, who was called 
March, 1890, began preaching in April, and was installed June 4, 1890. 
He was also pastor, installed June 5, 1890, over Middle Tuscarora Church 
in connection with this church, and still continues pastor over these two 
fields. Just before entering on this pastorate the church had adopted 
the rotary eldership. The old board consisted of Samuel McLaughlin, 
Wilson Laird, W. Boyd Gilson, John P. Kelly, and Josiah L. Barton. 
All these except Mr. McLaughlin, who was very infirm, have been re- 
tained in office, and as death has necessitated or the system required, in 
addition Nathaniel Moyer, Samuel A. Graham, and Stiles K. Boden have 
been elected and installed into office. 

In 1894 the interior of this church building was beautifully renovated, 
and a gracious revival resulted in the addition of some fifty members to 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 203 

the church, heads of families and young people bringing entire families 
in some cases into the church. 

The following persons have gone out of this church into the gospel 
ministry in addition to many others who were students in Tuscarora 
Academy : 

Rev. Joseph Patterson, Rev. Joseph C. Kelly, Rev. W. A. Patton, 
Rev. Joseph H. Barnard, Rev. J. Henry Beale, Rev. J. Harry Stewart. 

The present membership of the church, 1895, is two hundred. 



McVEYTOWN. 



The history of the Presbyterian congregation of McVeytown may 
be divided into three periods: First, from its founding to the year 1 8 14; 
second, from 18 14 to 1871 ; third, from 1871 to the present time, 1895. 

First Period. — So far as known all the congregational records of this 
period have been lost. The minutes of the Presbyteries of Donegal and 
Carlisle, the grandmother and mother of Huntingdon Presbytery, contain 
nothing concerning the organization of a Presbyterian church in the 
vicinity of McVeytown. It is probable that, as in the case of so many 
of the churches founded in the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania more 
than a century ago, there was no formal organization of this church by 
authority of Presbytery. It is impossible, therefore, to assign an exact 
date to the beginning of this period. 

From the journal of the Rev. Charles Beattie, who, with the Rev. 
George Duffield, Avas appointed missionary to the frontiers in 1766 by 
the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, it is known that he preached 
in this vicinity on August 26 of that year. Of this service he writes, 
" By twelve o'clock a considerable number of people were collected at a 
place in the woods where a mill was building, near to which a house for 
worship is intended to be built as being most essential to the inhabitants 
in those parts. While the people were convening it began to rain, and 
the rain continuing obliged as many of us as could to crowd into a small 
house." He likewise informs us, " That was the first preaching in these 
parts." Whether it was a saw-mill or a grist-mill that " was building" 
cannot be determined. The first grist-mill built within the present limits 
of Mifflin County was at McVeytown, then known as Holliday, erected 
about this time. It appears upon the first assessment roll, 1768. There 



204 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

was a saw-mill built about the same time by Andrew Bratton on his farm, 
about two miles south of McVeytown, and on the opposite bank of the 
river. Was it at HoUiday's or Andrew Bratton's that the Rev. Charles 
Beattie preached in 1766? Tradition says at the latter place. The 
writer is inclined to the opinion that it was at the former place. 

The only church structure erected in this neighborhood before the 
close of the eighteenth century was on the Andrew Bratton farm, at the 
northeast corner of the old burying-ground, which is still preserved, 
and within recent years has been surrounded by a substantial stone wall. 
It was a humble structure built of logs and roofed with clapboards. 
There are those still living who in their early youth worshipped in it 
with their fathers. It continued to be used for church purposes till the 
first church was erected in McVeytown, then Waynesburg. This little 
log church was built before the Revolutionary War, and was in all prob- 
ability the first house of worship erected west of the Lewistown Narrows. 
Here the fathers gathered to worship God long before they had a 
pastor. 

At the first mention of this church in the minutes of Presbytery it is 
called the " Presbyterian Congregation of Upper a.nd Centre Wayne." 
In 1800 it is simply the " Congregation of Wayne." 

The Rev. Matthew Stephens settled on a farm in the lower end of 
Bratton Township about the year 1780. His name appears upon the 
roll of the Presbytery of Donegal in 1785, the same year in which the 
Rev. James Johnston, who had received a call from the East Kishaco- 
quillas Church, March 15, 1783, became a member. The Rev. Matthew 
Stephens had received a call from the people in this vicinity, but for 
some reason he never was installed. However, he preached in the 
several settlements between Lewistown and Newton Hamilton from the 
time of his coming till 1795, when he returned the call he had received 
from the " Presbyterian Congregation of Upper and Centre Wayne" to 
the Presbytery of Huntingdon. It is the tradition that he preached in 
this community for a period of more than twenty years. It is, perhaps, 
demonstrable that he was the first ordained minister resident in this 
county. 

In January, 1800, the Rev. James Simpson, just received from the 
Presbyter}' in the " Kingdom of Ireland," was appointed stated supply 
of Upper and Centre Wayne, Lewistown, and Derry. Mr. Simpson re- 
sided at McVeytown, this being the largest and most influential part of 
his charp-e. There was no church building- at Lewistown at that time. 



Wf 



\' \- 






MCVEYTOWN. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 205 

He acted as supply for about three years, when he was deposed from the 
ministry on account of his excessive use of strong drink. 

From the year 1803 to 18 19 there was no regular minister on this 
field. From time to time it was supplied by appointment of Presbytery. 
At that time there was not any one congregation in the county able to 
support a minister of itself. By the grouping of East Kishacoquillas 
and Dry Valley, and of Lewistown and West Kishacoquillas, Wayne 
was left out of any convenient connection, and not being able to support 
a minister alone was forced to depend upon supplies. 

Second Period. — On December 29, 1814, "John Mevey, Sr., of the 
one part," deeded to " William Armstrong, Archibald Moore, and James 
Criswell, Trustees, for the Congregation of Waynesburg and its vicinity, 
of the other part, one half acre of land situate on the west side of Queen 
Street and fronting six perches thereon." Arrangements were imme- 
diately made for the erection of a small stone church on the site of the 
present beautiful and commodious structure. 

Mr. James S. Woods, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
wick, began his work in this congregation in November, 18 19. On 
April 5, 1820, he was ordained and installed pastor for one-half his time 
at a salary of three hundred dollars. In April, 1824, he was installed 
at Lewistown for the remaining half of his time. In 1837 Dr. Woods 
resigned the Waynesburg charge. 

In 1827 the organization was incorporated under the name of the 
" Presbyterian Congregation of Waynesburg." The stone church did 
not prove to be very substantial, and it became necessary to take it down 
in 1833. It was immediately replaced by a larger and more substantial 
edifice built of brick at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. 

In April, 1838, that part of the Waynesburg congregation in the 
vicinity of Newton Hamilton, on petition to, and by direction of. Presby- 
tery, was organized into a separate congregation. From that date till 
January i, 1870, the two congregations constituted one pastorate. 

After the resignation of Dr. Woods, beginning in November, 1837, 
the Rev. Alexander Porter supplied Waynesburg and Newton Hamil- 
ton for six months, by permission of Presbytery. 

In May, 1838, Mr. Benjamin Carroll, a licentiate of the Presbytery 
of Philadelphia, was called. He began work July i, and was ordained 
and installed pastor October 26, 1838. This relation was dissolved at 
his own request and with the consent of the congregation October 22, 
1838. 



206 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The Rev. Peter Hasingerwas called April 23, 1845, and was installed 
July 28, 1845. This relation was dissolved July i, 1849. 

The Rev. David Sterrett was installed pastor January 25, 1850, and 
the relation was dissolved October 2, 1855. 

Shortly afterwards a call was given to Mr. Richard H. Morrow, a 
licentiate of Huntingdon Presbytery, but it was declined for the reason 
that Mr. Morrow had already received and accepted a call to a church 
in Iowa. 

The Rev. David D. Clarke, D.D., was installed pastor June, 1856, 
and so continued till his death, December 30, 1865. 

On June 19, 1866, the Rev. S. C. McCune was installed pastor. The 
relation was dissolved May i, 1869. 

The Rev. Thaddeus McRae was installed pastor January 19, 1870, 
and the relation was, at his own request and with the consent of the 
congregation, dissolved by Presbytery October 6, 1872. 

Third Period. — By petition of the congregation to the fall meeting 
of Presbytery, 1869, the co-pastorate with Newton Hamilton was dis- 
solved. By decree of the Mifflin County Court, on April 10, 1871, the 
corporate name, " The Presbyterian Congregation of Waynesburg," was 
changed to " The Presbyterian Congregation of McVeytown." 

In October, 1873, the Rev. David W. Moore was installed pastor, 
and this relation, at his own request and with the consent of the con- 
gregation, was dissolved by Presbytery October i, 1883. During the 
year 1874 the church was remodelled and enlarged. 

The Rev. Eugene H. Mateer, the pastor at the present time, began 
to preach February 16, 1884, and was duly installed April 29, 1884. 

The church corporation owns the following real estate: I. One-half 
acre, deeded December 29, 18 14, by John Mevey, Sr. ; the church build- 
ing stands on this plat, the larger portion, however, is included in the 
cemetery. 2. A narrow piece of land on the north side of the above, 
bought from Samuel Holliday, September 30, 1829. 3. A plat, west of 
No. I, and containing seventy- two perches, bought from Robert U. 
Jacobs, November 17, 1829. 4. On the south side of Nos. i and 3, one 
hundred and fifty-seven perches, bought of Robert U. Jacobs, August 
28, 1834. 5. Lot No. 130 on the plan of McVeytown, bought from 
James Criswell, January 10, 1861. 6. The parsonage and appurtenances, 
purchased from Dr. A. Rothrock, May 7, 1863. 7. Lots No. 131 and 
132 on borough plan, bought of William MackUn and William A. Moore, 
April 5, 1867. 8. Lot No. 129, bought from Mrs. Rettie M. Clarke. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 20/ 

The following persons have served as ruling elders : Col. John 

Bratton, to 1805; the Hon. John Ohver, to 1841 ; Samuel 

Withrovv, 1818 to 1 873; Nathaniel Wilson, 1827 to 1870; William 
Erwin, 1827 to 1862; Cyrus Criswell, 1827 to 1849; William Wakefield, 
1827 to 1851 ; George Oliver, 1847 to 1850; Samuel B. Lower, 1847 to 
1855; John Humes, 1847 to 1865; Abraham Rothrock, M.D., 1858 to 
1894; Samuel Coulter, 1858 to 1864; William Macklin, 1863 to 1884; 
John Oliver, 1863 to 1879; Elisha Bratton, 1863 to 1878; William 
Swanzey, 1869 to 1884; Winchester McCarthy, 1870 to 1885; Major 
WiUiam Wilson, 1879 to 1881. 

OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP, DECEMBER I, 1 895. 

Session. — The Rev. Eugene H. Mateer, pastor, installed April 29, 1884. 

Rilling Elders. — Adam Leffard, ordained June, 1869; John Kiner, 
ordained January, 1879; George McKee, ordained June, 1879; James 
Macklin, ordained October, 1885; Walter S. Wilson, M.D., ordained 
October, 1885 ; Charles Bratton, ordained June, 1886. 

Trustees. — Jacob R. Wirt, president ; Samuel M. Troxell, secretary ; 
the Hon. William P. Stevenson, treasurer; George H. Macklin and 
Robert Forgy, Jr. 

Roll of Comvinnicants. — Martha A. (McVey) Allen ; Susan Atkinson 
and daughter, Emily E. ; Sarah Brimmer and children, Mary L., Annie 
S., Sadie C, Leamon W. ; George Bortel and granddaughter, Jennie ; 
Mary A. Bratton, widow of Elisha; Charles and Susan Bratton and 
family, Grace E., Charles B., Thaddeus S. and wife, Rebecca J. ; William 
B. and Hannah Bratton and daughters, Ada V., Martha J. (Banks), and 
Anna May ; Elisha R. Bratton and wife, Hester A. ; Catharine S., Bertha 
M., and Clyde R., of Joseph R. and Margaret R. Bratton; Emma J. 
Bratton, daughter of William R. ; Margaret Barlett ; Rebecca B. Brower ; 
Benjamin E. and Margaret J. Brown and daughters, Anna B. and Miriam 
L. ; Ellen S. Booth, daughter of J. J. ; Catharine K. Browne, widow; 
Catharine Calderwood, sister of Mrs. Brimmer; Sarah Coulter, widow 
of George W. ; Edmund Conrad and wife, Catharine ; Rettie M. Clarke 
and sons, George C. and Robert B. ; Martha J. Corkle and daughters, E. 
May and Maud L. ; Mary Ann Cramer, widow of Cyrus ; James A. 
Conner; Hannah C. Dull; Mary Davis, widow of Edward; Annie E. 
Dunmire; Annie Dunmire; Amanda M. Dean, wife of Isaac; Rosanna 
Matilda Erwin, daughter of William ; William H. and Sarah K. Erwin 
and family, Rosanna M., Estella, and William I. ; Carrie M. Ewing and 



208 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

sister, Lizzie L. j Robert Forgy and son, Henry W., and children, 
Charles G., Bessie, Robert and wife, I. Rebecca (Garver) Forgy; 
Evanna Ferrer; Alice M. Fike ; Carrie B. Freed; John and Elmira 
Glasgow and son, William B. and wife, Effie R. ; Catharine Garver, 
widow of Henry ; John A. Giant ; Jane Horning and daughters, Mary 
E., Maggie J., Annie S. ; William and Eliza Hassinger and children, 
William E., Isabel, and Leah Nora; William Hartzler and wife, Mary 
(Engle) ; Oliver H. and Julia Hosterman and family, Benjamin F., 
Carrie E. ; Elizabeth J. Hawke, wife of Fred. ; Clara K. Hicks, teacher 
of select school ; Richard M. Johnson, M.D., and Orlie A. and daughters, 
M. Lucretia, Annie J. ; Mary A. Jenkins, wife of A. J. ; Jacob and 
Jane H. Knepp and daughter, Callie E. ; Mary M. Kimberly, wife of J. 
J. ; Mary M. Kimberly, wife of George ; John Kiner and family, Emma, 
William ; Elizabeth Kief haber and brother, Ferdinand ; Ada B. Kinsell, 
wife of James ; Annie E. Kirk, wife of David ; Anna M. Kable and 
daughter, Minnie H. ; David M. Kerr; M. Josephine (Shehen) Kauff- 
man, wife of Charles G. ; Adam and Mary Leffard and family, Sallie E., 
John S., and wife, Annie M. ; Joseph S. Leffard and wife, Emily ; William 
J. Leattor ; William M. Landis ; Bertha K. Laughlin and sister, Mary 
B. ; Margaret M. Klippert ; George H. Macklin and wife, Laura J. (Lef- 
fard) ; James and E. Jennie Macklin and daughters, Jessamine, Annie 
L. ; Effie Macklin, sister of G. H. and James; William A. Moore; Re- 
becca G. Mitchell, widow of George ; Mary E. Miller, wife of David ; 
Agnes Mateer, wife of E. H., and children, Jessie E., Mary E. ; Irvin M. 
Mowery and wife, Hannah ; Ella M. Myers, daughter of John ; Effie E. 
Magill; James B. Morrison and wife, Nora M. ; James G. McCoy; 
Samuel McWilliams and wife, Elizabeth ; George and Annie McKee and 
daughters, Jennie, wife of Andrew, M. Alice, Anna M. ; Annie McKee, 
sister of George ; John S. McCoy ; A. Rebecca McCarthy, wife of Samuel 
W. ; Elizabeth McCarthy, daughter of John Kiner; Susan McKillips and 
sons, T. Emeron, Jesse Y. ; Rosa C. (Bratton) McCormick ; Lillie M. 
McLaughlin; Maggie C. Oliver, daughter of John; Joseph E. S. Postle- 
waite and wife, Jennie L. (Bratton) ; Mary Pollock and brother, John T. ; 
Rebecca W. Patterson, daughter of Robert L. ; Lyman Pincin and wife, 
Maggie ; Delilah Pennepacker, widow of James ; Olie E. Parker ; Mary 
E. Rothrock ; Elizabeth E. Ross ; Catharine Rothrock and daughters. 
Wealthy E., Annie Irene ; William G. Rupert and wife, Clara B. (Kim- 
berly); North A. Stine ; Hannah E. Stine, widow of John ; Rebecca C, 
wife of Jacob ; Hannah C, wife of Samuel B. ; William P. and Annie E. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 209 

Stevenson and daughter, Janet Plummer; Matilda Swartz, wife of Dr. J. 
A. ; Martha J. Stewart, widow of James ; Samuel Smith ; Annie E. 
Strode and daughters, Catharine, Maggie J., Anna M. ; John C. Shehen 
and wife, Mary; Evaline Sharer, wife of William; Maggie B. Stine, wife 
of David; Josiah W. and Hannah Snook and daughter, Mary A. ; Moses 
Shively and daughter, Mary; EUie (McVey) Sunderland, wife of Cloyd; 
Frederick F. and Clara E. Sheafifer and son, Charles E. ; Roxanna C. 
Saylor, daughter of J. H. ; Samuel M. Troxell and sisters, Sallie J. and 
Lizzie ; Mary A. (Hassinger) Taylor ; Rebecca C. Withrow and daughter, 
Eleanor E. ; Rosanna Wilson and daughter, Mary ; Letitia (Wakefield) 
Lutz; Walter S. Wilson, M.D., and wife, Alice, and daughters, Mabel I., 
Gertrude C. ; Jacob R. and Sarah Wirt and family, Mary B., Irene E., 
John O., George H. ; David M. and Anna Wirt and family, Thomas H. 
and wife Phoebe R. (Patterson), Jacob L. and wife Emma J. (Kauffman) ; 
Clara J. Whitehead, daughter of John ; Ada Bell Wilson ; John C. Wil- 
son and daughter. Bertha LaRue ; Jennie E. Wilson, sister of J. C. and 
Dr. W. S. ; Emma M. Wakefield, daughter of G. Miles ; Lucinda Ziglar 
and family, Nettie, William O. Total, 241. 

Sabbath-School. — The Sabbath-school was organized about seventy- 
five years ago. The superintendents preceding the one now in office 
were Nathaniel Wilson, William E. Erwin, WiUiam Macklin, and Adam 
Leffard. Only the last mentioned is now living. 

Sunday-School Officers. — J. R. Wirt, superintendent; James Macklin, 
vice-superintendent ; S. M. Troxell, secretary and treasurer ; J. E. S. 
Postlewaite, assistant secretary; Lyman Pincin and Edmund Conrad, 
librarians ; Miss Lizzie L. Ewing, organist. 

Sunday-School Teachers. — James, G. H., and Mrs. G. H. Macklin, W. 
P. Stevenson, F. F. Sheaffer, John A. Giant, Carrie M. Ewing, Mary B. 
Wirt. Primary Department — Rebecca W. Patterson, Mary E. Mateer, 
and Annie E. Dunmire. 

Young People's Society. — There has been a flourishing Young People's 
Society since January, 1884. Five years ago it became a member of 
the Young People's Society of the Christian Endeavor Union of Mifflin 
County. 

For many years there has been an efficient Ladies' Aid Society. 

E. H. Mateer. 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



MADERA. 



There was preaching service held at Madera in connection with the 
Beulah Church ever since its organization, as many of its members Hved 
at that place. These services were held in the school-house and in a hall 
until they dedicated their church building, September 22, 1889. 

As the two towns of Madera and Ramey were three miles apart, and 
the congregations entirely distinct from each other, it became apparent to 
the members of Beulah Church living at Madera that they could better 
carry on the Master's work if they had their own separate organization. 
Accordingly eighty-six persons, seventy-six of them members of Beulah 
Church, petitioned Presbytery, at an adjourned meeting at Bellwood, 
June 12, 1894, to organize them into a separate congregation. Presby- 
tery appointed Revs. D. K. Freeman, D.D., William Prideaux, S. T. 
Lewis, and J. E. Giffen, and Elder Peter Cameron a committee to effect 
the organization. 

The committee met the congregation June .30, 1894, and conducted 
the business they were appointed to perform. There were eighty 
members at the organization, and there are eighty-six at the present 
time. 

James Comely, Isaac Hegarty, T. H. Cupples, and Denton Beeman 
were elected ruling elders. Elders Comely and Hegarty having been 
elders in Beulah Church, they were installed, and the next day Cupples 
and Beeman were ordained and installed. 

Rev. J. E. Giffen was called as pastor for half his time, Beulah retain- 
ing him for the other half. Presbytery enrolled the church October 3, 
1894, and approved the call. Mr. Giffen was installed November 9, 1894. 

J. E. Giffen. 



MANN'S CHOICE. 



Previously to 1878 this church was considered as a part of the 
Schellsburg Presbyterian Church, and was so recorded in the minutes of 
the General Assembly. An application was made to Huntingdon Pres- 
bytery, at an adjourned meeting held in Bedford in June of that year, for 
a separate organization. On August 7, 1878, the following members of 
the committee appointed by Presbytery to organize a church at Mann's 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUmYTINGDON. 211 

Choice, as distinct from the Schellsburg Church, were present : Minis- 
ters, Rev. John C. Barr, Rev. Joseph H. Mathers, and Rev. John R. 
Henderson; elders, Mr. Washabaugh, Mr. B. R. Henderson, and Mr. 
Robert M. Taylor. A quorum of the Session of the Schellsburg Presby- 
terian Church being present, a meeting was held, and thirty-five members, 
at their own request, were dismissed from said church to constitute the 
Mann's Choice Presbyterian Church. 

After this the meeting was opened with prayer, singing, and reading 
of the Scriptures. Then a sermon was preached by Rev. J. H. Mathers 
from the text Second Samuel, 23d chapter and 5th verse. After the 
sermon and prayer by Rev. W. W. Moorehead, of Blairville Presbytery, 
the Rev. J. C. Barr stated the object of the meeting and proceeded 
to organize the Mann's Choice Presbyterian Church. The members 
were addressed by Rev. J. C. Barr, and asked the usual questions, to 
which they assented, and, after a short prayer, the organization was 
declared effected. The new organization then proceeded to elect a 
board of ruling elders and deacons. After a short address by Rev. J. C. 
Barr on the authority and duties of elders and deacons, Messrs. John 
Sill, Isaac Clark, Jr., and James A. Sill were elected elders, and Messrs. 
G. Shannon Mullin and James Wertz were named as deacons. These 
persons, having been formerly ordained as elders and deacons in the 
church while it was a branch of the Schellsburg Church, were now only 
installed into their respective offices. After this a board of trustees were 
elected, consisting of Messrs. James A. Sill, G. Shannon Mullin, and 
James Wertz. The meeting was then closed with prayer by Rev. J. H. 
Mathers and the benediction by Rev. J. C. Barr. 

As to pastoral care this church has always been associated with the 
Schellsburg Church. 

Isaac Clark. 



MAPLETON. 



It was an interesting providence that led to the appointing of a Pres- 
byterian preaching service in the village of Mapleton, Huntingdon County, 
Pennsylvania. It came about in this Avise. A Mr. Isaac Miller, who 
had lived within the bounds of Rev. B. E. Collins's church in Shirleysburg, 
had removed to Mapleton. He was the owner of a shot-gun which Mr. 
Collins had been in the habit of borrowing occasionally for the purpose 
of hunting. In the year 1858 Mr. Collins came to Mr. Miller, in his new 



212 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

home to borrow his gun. While on this errand at Mapleton he became 
acquainted with Colonel Donaldson, the ticket-agent of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad at that place, and a stanch believer in the doctrines of the 
Presbyterian Church. Through his influence an appointment for preach- 
ing was made. This appointment was fulfilled by Mr. Collins, and it 
led to his statedly preaching at this place. So much interest was 
aroused that the original brick church was erected during the year 1861 
and was dedicated in the fall of that year. A. W. Swope, Esq., had 
charge of the construction of this building. It was thirty feet by thirty- 
six feet in dimensions, and had a seating capacity of one hundred and 
seventy-five. 

Mr. Collins continued to labor here until the year 1867, with such 
success that the congregation petitioned Presbytery for a separate organi- 
zation in the spring of that year. A committee of Presbytery, consisting 
of Rev. B. E. Collins and Elder Samuel Brown, of Huntingdon, was 
appointed to visit the field and, if the way were clear, to organize a 
church. The committee came on the 2d of May, 1867, and organized 
the Mapleton Presbyterian Church, with thirteen members. Matthew F. 
Campbell and Benjamin F. Kauffman were chosen and ordained ruling 
elders. The family names represented in the organization were Don- 
aldson, Campbell, Gayton, Kauffman, Alexander, Gettys, and Othwaite. 

Mr. Collins continued to labor in this field until April, 1872, as a 
stated supply. His labors were attended with much success : it was he 
who laid the foundation work and did it well. It was through his instru- 
mentality that this church was organized and a commodious house of 
worship erected. Those still living who sat under his ministry have a 
warm place in their hearts for him. For thirteen years and eight months 
he faithfully preached the word of God in that community. 

He was succeeded in the work in this church by Rev. William 
Prideaux, who was installed pastor on June 25, 1872, for one-fourth time. 
During his ministry, in April, 1873, William H. Rex, a retired minister 
of the Lutheran Church, was ordained and installed a ruling elder. 
From his past experience and opportunities, Mr. Rex proved himself to 
be an efficient help to the church. On the 21st of March, 1880, A. W. 
Swope, Esq., was ordained and installed in the same office. Mr. Swope 
is clerk of Session, and has for many years been the faithful treasurer of 
this church, and also of the Sabbath-school. 

Mr. Prideaux continued as pastor of this church until April, 1882', a 
period of ten years. He presented unto them the gospel in its clearness 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 21 3 

and fulness. His preaching was of a biblical character. He devoted 
much attention to the study of the word of God. He still lives, at the 
advanced age of eighty-two, and yet preaches with vigor and power, and 
delights to do it. His Mapleton friends, and he has not a few, are always 
glad to hear him. 

Rev. McKnight Williamson succeeded him as stated supply for six 
months, and, while greatly advanced in years, he yet preached with much 
power. His has been a long, honored, and useful ministry. 

Rev. George Elliott was appointed stated supply in April, 1884, for 
six months. His residence at Orbisonia made it inconvenient for him 
to serve that church. His honored ministry was suddenly ended and 
he taken to his reward during the year 1 895. 

Rev. D. H. Campbell, the present pastor, commenced preaching to 
this church on the 23d of November, 1884, and was formally installed 
pastor on May i, 1885. The Session was enlarged and strengthened by 
the ordination and installation of Samuel Hatfield and Benjamin F. Baker 
as ruling elders on September 13, 1885. At the same time William H. 
Barclay and Watson W. Wright were ordained and installed as deacons. 
T. Morris Wood and Elmer E. Bell were ordained and installed as 
deacons on December 4, 1890. 

In the year 1889 the church building was rebuilt and enlarged at a 
cost of two thousand seven hundred dollars, the work being done within 
five months, and was dedicated, free from debt, on September 16 of the 
sam.e year. This increased its seating capacity about fifty per cent, and 
gave us an attractive and beautiful house in which to worship God. The 
rebuilding and enlarging of the church edifice added greatly to the 
growth and prosperity of the church. Since then there has been a larger 
attendance at the Sabbath-school and upon the regular preaching services. 

This church has had a most encouraging growth in membership since 
1884. There have been added one hundred and forty-one new members, 
and at least one hundred of these were received on examination. This 
church enjoyed gracious revivals during the years 1885, 1887, 1891, 
1893, and 1894, and from these it has received large ingatherings. The 
roll of membership now numbers one hundred and twelve. 

The church is chartered, and has a board of trustees, consisting of 
William H. Rex, Samuel Hatfield, and T. Morris Wood. J. E. Dysart 
is the present superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and A. B. Gillam is 
assistant. 

David H. Campbell. 



214 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

MIDDLE TUSCARORA. 

Supplies were first sent to the Upper and Middle Tuscarora Churches 
from the Carlisle Presbytery in 1790-91-92. In 1800 this arrangement 
ceased, and Middle and Lower Tuscarora Churches united, under the 
pastorate of Rev. John Coulter. He was born in Ireland in 1774, 
licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Castle in 1798, and came 
as a missionary to Tuscarora Valley in December, 1799. 

On January i, 1800, he preached his first sermon. He was ordained 
and installed August 14, 1801. Middle Tuscarora Church had sixteen 
members and four ruling elders, — Joseph Stewart, Alexander Work, 
Robert Crone, and David Hackendorn. Three hundred and fifty-seven 
members were added to the church during the thirty-three years of Mr. 
Coulter's ministry, and three additional elders were elected, — viz., James 
Anderson, George Stewart, and Samuel Wallace. Mr. Coulter died 
June 22, 1834, aged sixty years. He started the first Sunday-school 
and was the first temperance advocate in the valley. 

Middle Tuscarora now became a separate charge. Rev. James M. 
Olmstead became pastor on the fourth Wednesday of November, 1834, 
and continued until January 27, 1837. During his ministry Joseph S. 
Laird and James Coyle were elected elders. 

Rev. John Flemming was installed pastor in May, 1 841, but resigned 
in 1842. On the 13th of May, 1841, John Barton, Thomas Laughlin, 
and John Coulter, Jr., were elected elders. 

October 5, 1843, R^v. Andrew Jardine was installed pastor of this 
church. His ministry lasted fifteen years. Three hundred and eleven 
persons were added to the church. In 1844 the old church building at 
McCulloch's Mills was rebuilt. Mr. Jardine withdrew in 1858. 

During the winter of 1859-1860 Dr. George W. Thompson and Dr. 
J. J. Hamilton held special services at McCulloch's Mills for six weeks, 
and sixty-two persons united with the church, and some thirty others 
elsewhere. Rev. J. J. Hamilton became and continued pastor from May 
16, i860, until June, 1862. During his ministry W. L. Beale, Thomas 
Martin, James Smith, and John Laird were elected elders. 

Rev. David J. Beale, D.D., was installed pastor August li, 1864, 
exactly sixty-three years, wanting three days, after Rev. John Coulter, 
the first pastor. He was the sixth in succession. During his ministry 
more than one hundred were added to the church. The brick church at 
East Waterford was built. He also organized the church at Peru. At 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 21$ 

this time E. L. Anderson, W. C. Laird, S. McC. Beale, Absalom Rice, 
and David R. Barton were elected elders. He resigned in December, 
1868. 

The seventh pastor w^as Rev. S. S. Wallen, installed August 4, 1870, 
resigned in 1878. On January 14, 187 1, Uriah Wise, James Milliken, 
James Louden, and Lemuel Ramsey were installed elders. 

Rev. S. A. Davenport, the eighth pastor, was installed in April, 
1880, and continued until October i, 1883, when he was called to 
Aisquith Street Church, Baltimore, Maryland. During this ministry 
W. C. Laird, having returned from Mifflintown, was re-elected, and 
Abram Noss and John Work were elected, and all were installed elders. 

An interval of six and a half years followed without any settled 
pastor, when, in March, 1890, Mr. Davenport was re-elected pastor, in 
union with the Lower Tuscarora Church at Academia. He was in- 
stalled ninth pastor June 5, 1890. During this period the church 
buildings have been beautifully renovated in their interiors at McCul- 
loch's Mills and East Waterford. During a revival season in 1894-95 
forty- five were added to this Middle Tuscarora charge. 

The following persons have gone out from this church into the 
gospel ministry: Rev. James Coulter, Rev. David J. Beale, D.D., Rev. 
John Laird, Rev. John P. Coyle, and Rev. David T. Neely. 

The present membership of the church is two hundred and twenty. 

S. A. Davenport. 



MILESBURG. 



The church of Milesburg was organized March 5, 1868, in accord- 
ance with the action of Presbytery, Rev. A. Yeomans, moderator. The 
persons constituting the organization were all members of the Bellefonte 
Presbyterian Church; there were eighteen in all, six males and twelve 
females. 

James Alexander and W. M. Holmes were, at the time of the organi- 
zation, elected and ordained the first elders. Rev. Prideaux preached 
the first sermon after the organization, April 12, 1868. W. O. Wright 
was appointed stated supply by Presbytery at Milroy April 15, 1868, 
preached his first sermon May 15, 1868, and was installed pastor of 
Milesburg Church May 10, 1870. Since the organization one hundred 
and seventy-two members have been added, fifty-nine by letter and one 



210 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

hundred and thirteen on profession. Baptisms, one hundred and 
twenty-nine, — infants ninety-seven, and adults thirty-two ; marriages, one 
hundred and forty-eight; funerals, one hundred and ninety-three. 

The pastoral relation between Rev. W. O. Wright and the church of 
Milesburg was dissolved, that he might be free to supply the churches 
of Morrisdale and Kylertown, at Unionville, Pennsylvania, June 12, 
1883. After an absence of nine and a half months he returned on invita- 
tion to Milesburg Church, April 30, 1884, and has since been stated 
supply thereof for one-half the time. 

About three o'clock in the afternoon of Thursday, June 21, 1888, the 
Milesburg Church edifice was struck by lightning and burned to the 
ground. There was no insurance on the building at the time. 

October 8, 1888, the trustees bought a property with a parsonage on 
it for two thousand dollars, and made the last payment of nine hundred 
dollars November 8, 1888. 

January 10, 1892, our new Milesburg Church was opened for public 
worship, and has been in use ever since, but it is not dedicated, because 
not quite finished. The church is insured for three thousand dollars, 
and the parsonage for two thousand dollars. All this work has been 
done since October 8, 1888. 

W. O. Wright. 



MILROY. 

This church had its inception in the troubles in the church of East 
Kishacoquillas caused by a conflict between the pastor, the Rev. James 
Nourse, and a majority of the elders and members of the congregation, 
on the subject of temperance, Mr. Nourse taking a decided stand against 
the manufacture and use of intoxicating liquors. An earnest effort was 
made by Presbytery to harmonize these conflicting parties. Finally, in 
the interest of peace, Mr. Nourse offered his resignation, and at a meet- 
ing of the Presbytery in Huntingdon in April, 1834, the pastoral relation 
was dissolved. Presbytery at the same time recommended that all the 
elders should resign and a new board be elected. A committee, com- 
posed of the Revs. James Linn, Samuel Wilson, John Peebles, and 
Elders John Kerr and William Hazlett, was appointed to visit the 
church to carry into effect the recommendation of Presbytery, and with 
authority, if all efforts for harmony failed, to organize a new church. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 21/ 

This committee, with the exception of Rev. John Peebles, met at East 
Kishacoquillas on August 12, 1834. The majority of the elders, those 
opposed to Mr. Nourse, refused to resign. 

The committee then proceeded to take the names of those who desired 
a new organization. One hundred and two names were given. The 
next day, August 13, 1834, the committee organized a new church, to 
be known as the congregation of Perryville, composed of seventy-seven 
members from East Kishacoquillas and six from other contiguous 
churches. John Beatty and Hugh Alexander, formerly elders of East 
Kishacoquillas, were elected and installed as elders. It was also decided 
that the new church should not build a house of worship within three 
miles of the old church. 

The church of Perryville proceeded at once to make out a call for 
the Rev. James Nourse, their former pastor, who had been licensed by 
the Presbytery of the District of Columbia, ordained by the Presbytery 
of Philadelphia, and received by the Presbytery of Huntingdon June 8, 
1831. This call was presented to Presbytery October 9, and was ac- 
cepted by Mr. Nourse October 30, 1834. Rev. James Woods and Rev. 
David Sterrett were appointed a committee to install Mr. Nourse on the 
first Wednesday of December, 1834, which duty they accordingly dis- 
charged, and so reported to Presbytery April 7, 1835. 

The congregation built a plain church edifice in Perryville, now 
Milroy, in 1835, at a cost of about fifteen hundred dollars. 

Mr. Nourse remained as pastor of the Perryville Church until Octo- 
ber 2, 1849, when he resigned, on account of bronchial affection, and 
the pastoral relation was dissolved. During the autumn and winter of 
1842-43 an extensive revival of religion prevailed in this congregation, 
as the result of which about one hundred and thirty persons united with 
the church, doubling its membership and greatly increasing their piety 
and spirituality. During the fifteen years of Mr. Nourse's pastorate 
about three hundred and thirty members were added to the church. 

Rev. Samuel Lawrence, who had been licensed by the Presbvtery of 
Philadelphia in April, 1823, ordained by the same in November, 1824, 
and received by the Presbytery of Huntingdon on June 11, 1850, re- 
ceived and accepted a call from this church June 11, 1850. The com- 
mittee appointed to install him were Revs. Richard Curran to preach, 
D. L. Hughes to preside and to charge the pastor, and Robert Hamill 
to charge the people. This committee reported at the October meeting 
of Presbytery that they had attended to the duty assigned them. Mr. 



2l8 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Lawrence was a faithful and laborious pastor. As the result of his 
labors one hundred and forty-five persons were added to the member- 
ship of the church, one hundred and six on examination and thirty-nine 
on certificate. 

On April ii, 1854, at the request of the church, the name was 
changed from Perry ville to Milroy. 

On April 16, 1857, the pastoral relation between Mr. Lawrence and 
the church of Milroy was dissolved, to take effect on April 19, 1857, the 
church acquiescing and promising to continue his salary for one year. 
The reason assigned was that the Milroy Church might unite with the 
church of East Kishacoquillas in one pastoral charge. Any efforts, 
however, which were made for this purpose proved failures. 

Rev. John W. White, who had been licensed by the Presbytery of 
Blairsville in April, 1854, and ordained by the Presbytery of Carlisle on 
Christmas evening, 1855, received a call from the church of Milroy, 
which was forwarded to him from the Presbytery of Huntingdon to the 
Presbytery of Carlisle in April, 1858. After some weeks of prayerful 
consideration he accepted this call, commenced work, and was received 
by the Presbytery of Huntingdon at its June meeting in Tyrone. The 
committee of installation were Revs. O. O. McClean to preach and 
preside, James Williamson to charge the pastor, and David Sterrett 
to charge the people. The committee performed the duty assigned 
on August 20, 1858. Mr. White remained as pastor of the church for 
over twenty-five years. During the first year of his pastorate the roll of 
church members was revised by him and Dr. Samuel Maclay, and over 
one hundred persons who could not be accounted for were marked 
absent and thus practically dropped. 

In i860 the congregation built a neat brick chapel at Siglerville, 
three miles east of Milroy, at a cost of about seventeen hundred dollars, 
and from that time public worship was regularly held there every 
Sabbath, instead of at different school-houses and the Salem and Lock's 
Mills churches as theretofore. 

The same year the congregation bought a parsonage at a cost of 
fifteen hundred dollars, which they enlarged and improved in 1864 
at an additional cost of about eighteen hundred dollars. In 1870 
they also enlarged and improved the church at Milroy at a cost of about 
four thousand dollars. The church during this pastorate made it a rule 
to make contributions to all the boards of the church and to have no 
blanks in the Assembly Minutes. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 2ig 

During the same period there were many times of gracious revival; 
some of them were seasons of great power, in which the aged as well as 
the young were hopefully converted and brought into the church. At 
one time especially many persons over sixty years of age united with the 
church, and quite a number of them were baptized, among whom were 
five men who had formerly been tavern-keepers. 

During Mr. White's pastorate four hundred and thirty-five persons 
united with the church, most of them on confession of their faith in 
Christ. Also eight members of this congregation entered the ministry 
of the gospel, and now, in 1895, they are all actively engaged in the 
work of their calling. These are S. T. Thompson, who united with this 
church on certificate from East Kishacoquillas, William Gemmill, James 
M. Nourse, George A. Landis, J. Vernon Bell, A. F. Alexander, James 
Sample, and Hugh McClintic. Of these George A. Landis entered the 
foreign missionary work in Brazil, where he is still laboring. The first 
six are Presbyterians ; the two latter are Evangelical Lutheran ministers. 

In 1875, Miss Frances E. Harshbarger, a member of the church, 
went as a missionary to China, where she married the Rev. John Butler, 
of the Presbytery of Hingpo, who died some years after of cholera, 
while they were on their way to a meeting of Presbytery. About two 
years ago Mrs. Butler, on account of declining health, returned to this 
country, and she now resides at Tacoma, Washington. 

This church was greatly weakened by the failure of many of its most 
liberal supporters in the financial crisis of 1873, and afterwards by 
the large emigration of its members to the Western States. Many 
of these persons are still actively engaged in Christian work as elders, 
deacons, Sunday-school superintendents, and teachers in the churches 
where they now reside. 

On September 6, 1883, the Presbytery of Huntingdon decided that 
some of Mr. White's doctrinal beliefs should not be preached in the 
Presbyterian Church, whereupon, with the pursuasion of the Presbytery, 
he cheerfully withdrew from the Presbyterian ministry, and thus ceased 
to be pastor of the church. This had a serious influence on the Milroy 
congregation. While Mr. White intended to move away, yet so earnest 
and persistent was the call for him to remain and preach that he finally 
consented to do so. Thus this church was greatly weakened by the 
withdrawal of a considerable portion of the congregation. 

Rev. R. M. Wallace, D.D., became the stated supply of this church 
in the spring of 1884, and so remained until October, 1894. During his 



220 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

ministry forty-six persons were received into the communion of the 
church, twenty-seven on examination and nineteen on certificate, thus 
about making up, in a somewhat difficult field, for the losses sustained 
during the same time. The number of members reported in 1885 was 
fifty-three, and the number reported in 1895 is fifty. 

The future of this church now depends on unforeseen contingencies. 

The elders of this church have been as follows: Hugh Alexander, 
John Beaty, Brown Maclay, Robert Thompson, Dr. Samuel Maclay, 
Davis Bates, George W. Crissman, John M. Bell, S. T. Thompson, J. C. 
McNitt, W. C. McCleahan, Ira Thompson, James Aitkens, J. J. Aitkens, 
Albert Thompson, and J. C. Wilson. The two latter are the present 
elders. One-half of the whole number have departed this life. 

J. W. White. 



MOSHANNON AND SNOW SHOE. 

MosHANNON Church was organized September 25, 1852, with seven- 
teen persons, by letter, — eleven from Bellefonte Church, two from FloUi- 
daysburg Church, three from Lick Run Church, and one from Washington 
Church. Rev. James Linn, D.D., of Bellefonte, conducted the service 
after preaching. On the same day James Marshall and James Gilliland 
were elected and ordained the first elders. 

About 1869 the church building at Snow Shoe City came to be used 
as part of the Moshannon Church, and since then both constitute the 
Moshannon and Snow Shoe Church. 

Rev. W. O. Wright was installed pastor of the Moshannon and Snow 
Shoe Church May 10, 1870, in connection with the Milesburg Church, 
giving each one-half of his time, until June 12, 1883. He served the 
churches of Morrisdale and Kylertown as stated supply nine months and 
sixteen days, returned to Milesburg April 30, 1884, and served Lick 
Run and Hublersburg Churches in connection with Milesburg (one-half 
time to each) up to September 30, 1890, when he returned and gave 
one-half of his time to Moshannon and Snow Shoe Church up to date 
as stated supply. 

Moshannon and Snow Shoe Church has enrolled since 1852 about 
three hundred and fifty members ; baptized one hundred and seventy 
persons, thirty-four adults and one hundred and forty-six infants. Mar- 
riages, twenty-seven only on roll, and deaths, forty-six. Whole number 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 221 

of members at date, fifty-two, of whom twenty-one have been added 
since April i, 1894, — eighteen on profession and three by letter. 

Both church buildings have been renovated within the last two years. 

W. O. Wright. 



MOUNT UNION. 



This church had its beginning as an outpost of the Shirleysburg 
Church. Rev. Britton E. Collins became stated supply of that church 
in the autumn of 1839. From that as a centre he went forth, as oppor- 
tunity presented itself, to preach the gospel and plant the Presbyterian 
Church. He was one of the most faithful, hard-working, and poorly- 
paid ministers in the Presbytery of Huntingdon in his day. He wrought 
a work of inestimable value, and one that will ever redound to his honor. 
Mr. Collins began preaching in this community some time in the year of 
1845. There were but few people here at that time, and yet there were 
those M^ho desired the gospel, and he was willing to serve them. The 
services were held in a stone school-house that stood near where the 
Methodist church now stands. They were much appreciated and greatly 
enjoyed by those who attended upon them, and continued to grow in 
interest. This is seen in the fact that in the year 1849 '^ frame building 
was erected at a cost of five hundred dollars, on a lot now adjoining 
property of James M. Shaver, which is still standing, being now used as 
a dwelling-house, and was formally dedicated the same year. That was 
a glad day to the few Presbyterians of this community. Here the gospel 
was faithfully proclaimed at stated times, and the sacraments were 
administered by this pioneer preacher, who laid well the foundations of 
what the present congregation enjoy, and who continued to minister 
unto this people until April, 1855. 

Rev. George W. Shaiffer succeeded Mr. Collins, and became pastor 
of the Shirleysburg Church in the spring of 1855. He at once took up 
the work that had been well begun in this place, and statedly preached 
with much acceptance and profit. The field developed slowly, and yet 
surely. In the latter part of his ministry here it became evident that an 
independent organization was both wise and desirable. Therefore, upon 
an application to the Presbytery of Huntingdon in April, 1865, for an 
independent organization to be known as the Presbyterian Church of 
Mount Union, a committee, consisting of Revs. George W. Shaiffer, 



222 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

James C. Mahon, and David D. Clarke, was appointed to visit this field 
on the 2d of May, 1865, and, if the way be clear, organize a church. 
The committee came and, finding the way clear, organized this church 
on the above date with fourteen members, namely, Peter R. Shaver, Mrs. 
Margaret Shaver, J. A. J. Postlethwaite, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Postlethwaite, 
Mrs. Eva Bare, Mrs. Rhoda E. Flasher, Mrs. Eliza Huling, Mrs. Jane 
Shaver, Mrs. Malinda Sechler, Mrs. Lucy Simons, Mrs. Keziah Snyder, 
Mrs. Catharine McKinstry, John Pollock and wife, who were received 
by certificate from the Shirleysburg and other churches. Mr. J. A. J. 
Postlethwaite was chosen and ordained a ruling elder, which position he 
filled with ability and acceptance for nearly twelve years. He rendered 
efficient help to this congregation for years prior to its organization. He 
removed to Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was in communion with the 
Second Presbyterian Church, in whose fellowship he spent the remaining 
years of his life, and where he passed peacefully to his reward in the 
year 1879, October 19. Mr. Shaiffer continued to minister unto this 
congregation until April, 1866, almost a year after the organization was 
effected, when his connection with this church and that of Shirleysburg 
was severed by action of Presbytery. His ministry continued for eleven 
years. He faithfully sowed the seed and cared for the flock over whom 
he had been made overseer. He is still kindly remembered by those 
who sat under his ministry. He is yet living, and his post-ofifice address 
is Alhambra, California. 

Rev. Cochrane Forbes, a returned missionary, commenced his labors 
with this church in connection with the Shirleysburg Church in October, 
1866. It was in his ministry that it was decided to build a more com- 
modious and stately building on the southeast corner of Shirley and 
Division Streets. This building was erected in the years of 1866-67, ^^ ^ 
cost of four thousand five hundred dollars, and was formally dedicated in 
November, 1867. 

Peter R. Shaver and James Mackey, M.D., were ordained to the office 
of ruling elder in 1866. Dr. Mackey remained only a few years with 
the church and then removed to the West. Mr. Shaver was a faithful, 
efficient, and acceptable ruling elder for almost twenty-eight years. He 
has left an impression for good on this community. At the advanced 
age of eighty years, ten months, and twenty-three days he suddenly 
passed into the Master's presence on Saturday morning, May 5, 1894. 

It was in the spring of 1866 that the Sabbath-school was organized 
in the old frame church. Mr. Forbes continued faithfully to serve this 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 223 

people until April, 1870, when he felt compelled to relinquish the work 
here that he might return to the foreign field and take up again the work 
there which he had been compelled to lay down on account of ill health. 
But while on his way to return he was suddenly stricken down in Phila- 
delphia, where he died. His heart was in the foreign work, but he was 
not permitted to return to it. His labors ended suddenly. 

Rev. S. W. Pomeroy Avas called to this church in connection with 
that of Newton Hamilton in the spring of 1871.. He entered upon his 
duties on the ist of May, and was duly installed as pastor on the 24th of 
the following August, for a part of his time. He entered upon his work 
here under auspicious circumstances, and had the cordial support of the 
people. The Session was strengthened on the 17th of March, 1873, by 
the ordination of Thomas A. Appleby and Dr. William A. Hunter to the 
office of ruling elder. Mr. Pomeroy resided in Newton Hamilton until 
the spring of 1878, when his relation to that church ceased by action 
of Presbytery. Then he removed to Mount Union and occupied the 
parsonage, which was a most generous gift of Mrs. Mary Brewster, by 
will, at her death on March 19, 1876, to the Mount Union Presbyterian 
Church and congregation, to be a home for their pastor. This church 
should ever hold dear the memory of this sainted mother, who had them 
in such kind remembrance. 

In the year 1878 a connection with the Shirleysburg Church was 
again effected. The church building was repaired and remodelled in the 
years 1882-83 at a cost of about three thousand dollars, and rededicated 
July 9, 1883. Mr. Pomeroy continued pastor until April, 1884, a period 
of thirteen years. In that time one hundred and seventy new members 
were added to the church, which increased the membership from twenty- 
five to one hundred and eleven ; the Sabbath-school roll was increased 
from seventy-five to one hundred and sixty-six ; and the contributions 
amounted to ten thousand two hundred and thirty-six dollars. 

The years of 1872, 1875, 1878, and 1883 were especially marked as 
revival years, and witnessed large additions to the membership. He 
was a faithful and earnest minister of the gospel to this people and ren- 
dered the church good service, and still has many warm friends in this 
congregation and community. He was compelled to resign on account 
of ill health. He is at present pastor of the church of Bald Eagle and 
Nitany Valley, in the Presbytery of Northumberland, and resides at Mill 
Hall, Pennsylvania. 

Rev. D. H. Campbell, the present pastor, succeeded him in the pas- 



224 Tim CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

torate of this church, and entered upon the work in November, 1884. 
He was duly installed pastor on the 25th of the same month, for one- 
half time, in connection with the churches of Shirleysburg and Mapleton. 
He was cordially received into the congregation and community and 
has had the hearty support and co-operation of the people. The work 
has steadily gone forward. Two hundred and twenty-two new members 
have been added to the church, and the membership has grown from 
one hundred and eleven to two hundred and twelve. The Sabbath- 
school has gradually increased in numbers and in interest and has an 
enrolled membership of two hundred and thirty-four, with an average 
attendance of one hundred and fifty-six. It has a faithful body of offi- 
cers and teachers, of whom T. A. Appleby is superintendent and R. J. 
Faust assistant superintendent, which positions they have well filled for 
years. The church has grown in liberality, and has contributed over 
fifteen thousand dollars since the fall of 1884. The years of 1885, 1887, 
1 89 1, 1893, and 1894 were especially marked as revival years, and were 
seasons of large ingatherings into the church. 

The Session has been enlarged and its efficiency increased by the in- 
stallation and ordination of William G. Ewing, I. Newton Taylor, and 
Benjamin C. Wharton to the office of ruling elder on February i, 1891. 
The clerk of Session is Elder T. A. Appleby. 

An active Christian Endeavor Society was organized in the fall of 
1 89 1 and is doing good work, and at present is under the leadership of 
William G. Ewing. The church has a prosperous Woman's Missionary 
Society with Mrs. M. R. Adams as president, and two Hve Mission 
Bands in charge of Mrs A. H. Campbell There is also a Young Ladies' 
Mission Band. Since May i, 1892, this church has been associated in 
pastoral relation with Newton Hamilton and Mapleton Churches, that 
a better grouping of the churches in this part of Presbytery might be 
made. This is a natural relation. 

The church is chartered, and its board of trustees is composed of 
Messrs. R. J. Faust, W. T. Bell, and A. S. Welch, with J. Bruce Davis 
as treasurer. The property consists of an excellent two-story wooden 
church building, having a well arranged Sabbath-school room, with an 
advanced and primary department, and a fine audience room capable of 
seating about three hundred, and also a well-arranged and convenient 
two-story brick parsonage, which during the past year has been enlarged 
and improved by a two-story brick addition. 

This church has done and is doing a good work, and is exerting a 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUATINGBON. 22$ 

wholesome and beneficent influence in this entire community. It is a 
bulwark against evil and a champion for the right. It is located in a 
pleasant and attractive borough, having a population of about eleven 
hundred, and which has not permitted a license bar to sell intoxicating 
liquors within its bounds for more than ten years. This church has had 
much to do in helping to bring about this most desirable state of affairs. 
She has been loyal to the truth and firm for the right. 

David H. Campbell. 



NEWTON HAMILTON. 

The first Presbyterian preaching service at Newton Hamilton was 
probably about the year 1830. It was in that year that Rev. John 
Peebles gave up his charge at Alexandria. After this or during that 
portion of his time he " labored successively at the villages of Newton 
Hamilton and Williamsburg." He labored here successfully in the year 
1 83 1 . The first preaching here statedly was most probably by Revs. John 
Peebles and James S. Woods. Mr. Woods, who was pastor at Waynes- 
burg (now McVeytown) Church, preached here statedly for some years 
prior to the year 1837, when Lewistown took his full time. 

Services were at first held in private houses. The home of John 
McNaer, an elder of the Waynesburg Church, who removed to the place 
where Henry Sayers now lives, about three-fourths of a mile north of 
the town, was so used. Afterwards a building in the process of con- 
struction, a little farther north and near the home of William Vanzandt, 
was used for some time. The old church was built about the year 1836 
or 1837. Those two godly men, Messrs. Woods and Peebles, were largely 
instrumental in preparing the way for the organization of this church. 
There was such a strong desire for a separate organization that Presby- 
tery was petitioned in the spring of 1838 for an organization at this 
place. In response to this request a committee, consisting of Revs. John 
Peebles and James S. Woods, was appointed to organize the said church 
if the way be clear. They visited this field on the 1st day of May, 1838, 
and, finding the way clear, organized the Newton Hamilton Presbyterian 
Church with thirty-eight members. 

Samuel Wharton, John McNaer, and Hugh Wilson were chosen 
ordained ruling elders. The church soon after called Benjamin Carrell, 
a hcentiate, and he was ordained and installed pastor of this church hy 

15 



226 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Presbytery on December 21, 1838, for a part of his time in connection 
with the Waynesburg (McVeytown) Church. This pastorate continued 
with great satisfaction and much profit to the church until October 22, 
1844, when, on account of ill health, he was released. His ministry was 
richly blessed to this church and community. He received to the mem- 
bership of the church one hundred and twenty-seven new members, and 
all were received on examination except twenty-seven. The year 1843 
was especially marked by a most gracious revival, when about forty 
members were added to the church. 

Mr. Carrell was in the spring of 1845 succeeded by Rev. Peter Has- 
singer, whose pastorate continued until the spring of 1849. His min- 
istry was not attended with any large additions to the church. He 
faithfully sowed the seed. The Session was enlarged and strengthened 
in the early part of his ministry by the election, ordination, and installa- 
tion of David Coeland, Winchester McCarthy, and Benjamin Norton to 
the office of ruling elders. The latter took place on December 21, 
1845. 

Rev. David .Sterrett was called to the pastorate of this church in the 
latter part of the year 1849, and was installed on January 18, 1850, and 
it continued a successful pastorate until October 2, 1855, when Presby- 
tery dissolved the relation. During his ministry one hundred and 
twenty new members were added to the church. He was an unusually 
spiritual-minded and devout minister of the gospel. The years of 185 1 
and 1854 witnessed most gracious revivals that greatly strengthened the 
church. David Jenkins and Carson McDowell were ordained ruling 
elders on January 17, 185 1. Mr. Jenkins lived to the advanced age of 
ninety-three years, five months, and two days, having been born in the 
year 1800. 

Rev. David D. Clarke was installed pastor by Presbytery on June 3, 
1856. After a most successful pastorate of nearly ten years he was 
suddenly stricken down, and died December 31, 1865. His death was a 
great loss to this people. He was greatly beloved by them and deeply 
mourned in his death. He was an earnest, devoted, and godly man, an 
excellent pastor, and a faithful preacher of the gospel. During his min- 
istry fifty-six new members were added to the church. The Session was 
enlarged by the ordination of C. Bower in May, i860, and of D. A. 
Postlethwaite and Robert L. Gamble in October, 1862. Rev. S. C. 
McCune became pastor on the 19th of June, 1866, and the relation was 
dissolved May i, 1869. It was during his ministry that the present fine 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 22/ 

brick church was built at a cost of seven thousand five hundred dollars. 
It has a seating capacity of three hundred. 

This was Mr. McCune's work in this church, and it still speaks 
to his credit, Samuel Coulter was installed and ordained a ruling elder 
in May, 1864. 

Rev. Thaddeus McRea entered upon the work here on the 19th 
of July, 1869, and continued pastor until McVeytown became a separate 
charge in 1870, when his whole time was given to that church. The 
Session was again enlarged and strengthened by the installation and 
ordination of Abram Aurand, Dr. James R. Taylor, Felix Norton, and 
North A. Postlethwaite to the office of ruling elder in 1870. 

Rev. S. W. Pomeroy accepted a call to this church, and entered upon 
the work May I, 1871, in connection with the Mount Union Church, and 
was installed for two-thirds of his time as pastor on August 19, 1871, 
His pastorate continued until the spring of 1878, when the relation was 
dissolved by action of Presbytery. During his ministry ninety-nine 
new members, all but twenty-three on examination, were added to the 
church. The year 1874 was especially marked as a revival year. 
During the early part of that year a large addition was made to the 
membership. The church was supplied by Rev. N. Foster Brown 
for six months from October, 1878, and he was installed pastor on April 
10, 1879, which relation continued until April, 1882. The church was 
then united in pastoral relation with the Petersburg Church. Rev. 
Preston Barr was installed for one-half time in October, 1882, with the 
above connection. He remained pastor until April, 1884, when he was 
released that he might accept a call elsewhere. For a little more than 
two years the church was without a pastor, and had to depend upon 
supplies from Presbytery. Rev. George Elliott was installed pastor on 
November 11, 1884, for one-half time in connection with Orbisonia, and 
served them with much acceptance until January i, 1887, when, with 
regret on the part of the people, the relation was dissolved. Then the 
Rev. D. H. Campbell, of Mount Union, was called, but was compelled to 
decline. Rev. J. C. Oliver supplied the pulpit with very great acceptance 
from April, 1887, for six months. Samuel Ewing and James D. 
Postlethwaite were ordained and installed ruling elders on June 30, 1878, 
and James A. Dysart on December 19 of the same year. Rev. J. J. Wolf 
became pastor in June, 1888, and remained such until October, 1889. 
Mr. W. G. Finney, a student of Union Theological Seminary, was an ac- 
ceptable supply during the summer of 1891. Rev. D. H. Campbell, 



228 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

having again been called to this pastorate, accepted the call, and was in- 
stalled pastor on May 12, 1892, for one-fourth of his time in connection 
with the churches of Mount Union and Mapleton. During the present 
pastorate forty new members have been added on examination and seven- 
teen on certificate to the church ; the lecture and Sabbath-school room 
has been handsomely remodelled, repapered, and refurnished, at a cost of 
seven hundred dollars, and about two thousand two hundred dollars 
have been contributed by the congregation. The relation between pastor 
and people is pleasant and cordial, and the church is in an encouraging 
condition. It has an active membership of one hundred and thirty.* 
The Sabbath -school has one hundred and twenty-eight members enrolled, 
and is doing well under the superintendency of Elder Samuel Ewing. 

It has a live Christian Endeavor Society, with Harris Postlethwaite 
as president, and efficient Ladies' Aid Society, in charge of Mrs. D. C. 
Nipple. The church is chartered, and the board of trustees are Colonel 
D. B. Jenkins, C. I. Fuller, and S. S. Bratton, with Lambert V. Postle- 
thwaite as treasurer. ^^^^^ ^_ Campbell. 



ORBISONIA. 



This church was organized in 1873, with twenty-three members; 
there are now, 1895, eighty-nine members. For many years prior to 
their organization the Presbyterians of this congi-egation had their own 
place of worship in Orbisonia, but held their membership in the parent 
church at Shirleysburg. 

The following pastors of the Shirleysburg charge preached at Orbi- 
sonia as an outpost : Rev. Britton E. Collins, Rev. G. W. Shaeffer, Rev. 
Cochrane Forbes, Rev. Samuel C. Alexander, Rev. William Prideaux. 

The ministers that have served this church since its organization are 
Rev. William Prideaux, S.S., 1873-1877; Rev. R. A. Watson, S.S., 1877- 
1878; Rev. John D. Owens, P., 1879-1882; Rev. Geo. Elliott, P., 1884- 
1886 ; Rev. J. J. Wolff, P., 1888-1889; Rev. W. G. Finney, P., 1892. 

The following is a list of the elders : John C. Bolinger and Calvin 
Noble, 1873 ; James M. Rankin, 1877 ; James Hileman, Johnston Archey, 



*The year 1893 was especially marked as a revival year. During the month of March of 
that year thirty-four united with the church on examination, the most of whom were heads of 
families. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 229 

and Solomon Coons, 1884; James Yeater and Benjamin F. Wilson, 
1892. The present elders are James Hileman, Solomon Coons, and 
James Yeater. 

In 1876 the present house of worship was constructed; it is a brick 
building forty by seventy-five, and is valued at about four thousand 
dollars. 

This church since its organization has suffered a good deal of shift- 
ing in the system of grouping. It was grouped with Shirleysburg from 
1873 to 1878, with Shade Gap from 1879 to 1882, with Newton Hamil- 
ton from 1884 to 1889, and again with Shirleysburg since 1892. 

Rev. William Prideaux was largely instrumental in organizing this 
church and in erecting the building. 

William G. Finney. 



OSCEOLA. 



The first religious organization in Osceola was a union Sunday- 
school in 1861 ; the Presbyterian and all the other Protestant churches 
are the outgrowth of that school. The school was first held in a shuck- 
shop (a large shed used for shaving barrel-staves for the Cuban markets), 
next in a carpenter-shop, and when the first public school-house was 
erected, in 1867, it was also used for the union Sunday-school and for 
preaching services. 

About this date (1867) the Presbyterian families located here decided 
to organize and build a church. A site was secured where the present 
edifice stands, and the erection of a church was begun. 

The Presbytery of Huntingdon, at a meeting in Bellefonte, October, 
1867, appointed a committee, consisting of Revs. John H. Clark and W. 
O. Wright and Elder George W. McCuUy, to organize a church at 
Osceola. The committee met in the basement of the new church Feb- 
ruary 6, 1868, and perfected an organization, but the church edifice was 
not completed until 1869. The first ruling elders elected were John 
Lawshe and Peter A. Reed. On February 6, 1868, the Rev. William 
Prideaux preached the first sermon, from Psalm cxxii. 6-9 (" Peace be 
within thy walls," etc.). The membership at organization was twenty- 
three, which number was increased to thirty-eight within a week. 

By permission of Presbytery, Rev. W. B. Sutherland, of New York, 
supplied the pulpit of the church until March, 1869. The church was 



230 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

dedicated January 17, 1869, the Rev. Dr. Malin, of Philadelphia, preach- 
ing the sermon. The church had no regular pastor until September 12, 
1869, when the Rev. J. H. Sargent accepted a call from the congrega- 
tion and served as its pastor for one year. 

Rev. W. W. Condit then supplied the church for one year. From 
October, 1872, until May, 1873, the church was without a pastor, when 
a call was given to N. H. Miller, D.D., who began his labors May 11, 
1873, and continued until October 18, 1891. 

The church was destroyed with the rest of the town by the great fire 
of May 20, 1875. Dr. Miller, although he had lost all his worldly 
effects, aroused and cheered the drooping spirits of his stricken congre- 
gation, and by untiring efforts had the present church ready for dedica- 
tion December 5, 1875. 

Dr. Miller having resigned from his long and successful pastorate, 
Rev. Samuel T. Lewis, of the Presbytery of Erie, was called by the con- 
gregation February 10, 1892, and is the present pastor. Under his effi- 
cient labors the church membership has been greatly increased, the 
present membership being one hundred and seventy. 

Besides the ruling elders already mentioned, the following were at 
different times since elected, — viz., Lewis Stonerod, W. J. Long, A. H. 
Greenawalt, J. A. Cameron, W. W. Speddy, C. G. Welsh, W. A. Brown, 
Hugh Campbell, George M. Brisbin, and G. W. Boone, the four last 
named being the present ruling elders. 

The following have been the Sunday-school superintendents in the 
order named : J. R. Cameron, A. H. Greenawalt, Hugh Campbell, H. W. 
Brown, and G. W. Boone. 

The church has now in active operation the following organizations : 
Sabbath-school, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, Junior 
Christian Endeavor, Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society, and Ladies' 
Aid Societies. 

G. W. Boone. 



PERU MILLS. 



As early as 1850 preaching services were held in the school-house 
at Peru Mills, occasionally by Rev. Andrew Jardine, pastor of Middle 
Tuscarora Church, and by his successor. Rev. J. J. Hamilton. 

About 1864 Rev. David J. Beale, then pastor of the Middle Tuscarora ' 
Church, began to preach in the old Lutheran church, one and one-half 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 2$ I 

miles south of Peru Mills; and at a meeting of Presbytery in 1867 a 
petition was sent up asking for a church organization, which was granted 
under the name of the Presbyterian Church of Peru. 

Presbytery appointed Revs. W. Y. Brown, D. J. Beale, and S. J. 
Milliken, and Elders G. M. Graham, M.D., and John P. Kelly a com- 
mittee to organize a church. The committee discharged their duty and 
effected the organization, on the 29th day of April, 1867, with seventeen 
members by certificate from the Middle Tuscarora Church. On the 
same day Messrs. John Kepner and John C. Burns were elected, ordained, 
and installed as ruling elders. The Rev. D. J. Beale continued to preach 
as a supply for nearly a year. 

On the 25th of February, 1868, at a special meeting of Presbytery 
convened in Tyrone, a call was placed in his hands and accepted by 
J. E. Kerns, who was installed April 2, 1868. On March 31, 1878, he 
resigned, and was released at a meeting of Presbytery at Milroy, April 
10, 1878. 

After the church became vacant it was supplied successively by Revs. 
John McKean, J. C. Wilhelm, Marquis, Burbank, W. C. Kuhn, Folsom, 
S. A. Davenport, Scott, R. Arthur, and others. 

Rev. L. L. Haughawont began to preach in September, 1884. A call 
was placed in his hands and accepted at a meeting in October, 1889, but 
he continued to preach until December, after which the church was sup- 
plied by Revs. Lewy, Mathers, Kearns, and Diener. 

A call was placed in the hands of Rev. J. F. Diener at the October 
meeting of Presbytery, 1890, and accepted by him, when he immediately 
began to serve as pastor over this church, and so continues up to this 
time. 

March 25, 1871, Thomas Murphy and Frank Stake were elected 
ruling elders, and ordained and installed May 7, 187 1. Matthias Stump, 
Robert H. Patterson, James Woodside, and Jacob Shearer, having been 
elected elders, were ordained and installed October 17, 1874. 

The present membership of the church is fifty-five. 

The present church was built and dedicated in 1870 at an expense of 
two thousand eight hundred dollars. 

R. H. Patterson. 



232 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

PETERSBURG. 

Organized October 30, 1876. Enrolled April 10, 1877. Among 
its pastors and stated supplies were R. Lewis McCune, J. B. Strain, 
William Prideaux, J. C. Wilhelm, Samuel T. Wilson, D.D., John C. Barr, 
McKnight Williamson, Daniel L. Hughes, D.D., and George B. Troub. 
Present membership, one hundred and twenty-three. Present elders, 
William W. McFadden, S. K. Wharton, David Sheasley. 

R. F. Wilson. 



PHILIPSBURG. 



The Presbyterian Church of Philipsburg was first organized by an act 
of Presbytery passed January 9, 1 844. Supplies had been appointed occa- 
sionally for years before that time at the request of the few Presbyterians 
residing there. The services were held in what is known as the Union 
Church, a log meeting-house erected by Mr. Hardman Philips in 1835 
or 1836, on a lot of ground which some time about or a little before 1822 
he had conveyed for the use of the people of Philipsburg and neighbor- 
hood as a burying-ground. 

January 15, 1845, R^^. W.J. Murphy was installed pastor for one- 
third of his time, the other two-thirds being given to Fruit Hill and 
Mount Pleasant Churches. This relation continued until October 5, 
1847, when at Mr. Murphy's own request it was dissolved. 

From this time until 1862 the church was very feeble, and depended 
upon occasional supplies for preaching. At the request of some of the 
people, the church was reorganized by the direction of Presbytery, Sep- 
tember 27, 1862, with eleven members, of whom George H Steiner and 
William H. Roberts, having been previously ordained, were chosen and 
installed as ruling elders. 

In April, 1864, the church called W. O. Wright for one-half of his 
time. He was ordained and installed as pastor during an adjourned 
meeting of Presbytery held by courtesy in the Methodist church, Phil- 
ipsburg, June 15, 1864. Mr. Wright continued as pastor until April 15, 
1868, when at his own request the relation was dissolved. 

After this the church was again vacant, except as supplied occa- 
sionally by Presbyterial appointments, until Mr. Sargent, as stated 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 233 

supply, occupied the field. He was followed by Rev. Thomas Thompson, 
and he by Rev. N. H. Miller, D.D., the pastor of Osceola Church. 

Up to 1878 worship was held in the Union Church, when the present 
building was erected at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. In 
February, 188 1, Rev. W. W. Woodend, D.D., became pastor, remaining 
until the latter part of 1883. He was followed by Rev. Milton L. Cook 
in 1884, whose pastorate continued but little more than a year. 

In July of 1885 S. A. Cornelius, a licentiate, was made stated supply. 
In April, 1886, after completing his course at the seminary, he was 
ordained and installed as pastor, remaining with the church until the fall 
of 1889. 

On February 25, 1890, Rev. Oliver Hemstreet, of Albany, New York, 
was elected pastor, but declined to accept. At the same congregational 
meeting David Robertson, James H. Dysart, and Charles E. Murray 
were elected, and soon after were installed as ruling elders. 

On October 28, 1890, Rev. E. F. Johnston became pastor, and con- 
tinued as such until August, 1892. During the summer of this year two 
wings were added to the church for Sunday-school purposes. 

The present pastor, Rev. H. F. Means, was installed November 17, 
1892. 

The parsonage, a handsome property on Ninth Street, was purchased 
in 1890. 

The church is fully equipped for work, with Sunday-school, Christian 
Endeavor, Ladies' Aid, Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip, and three 
missionary societies. 

From time to time the church has been visited with showers of 
blessing resulting in large additions. The present membership is two 
hundred and thirty ; Sunday-school, two hundred and fifty ; Christian 
Endeavor Society, organized July 24, 1892, eighty active and twenty 
associate members. 

Following is a list of ruling elders : George H. Steiner, William H. 
Roberts, William E. Warde, D. S. DuBree, Emanuel Bollinger, Leonard 
D. Dom, Orlando S. Flemming, Samuel J. Scott, George W. Ganoe, 
David Robertson, James H. Dysart, Charles E. Murray, John E.Shaffer, 
Richard Scollon. 

The present board of elders consists of Messrs. Dom, Robertson, 
Murray, and Shaffer. 

H. F. Means. 



234 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

PINE GROVE. 

The Presbyterian families connected with Spring Creek Church resid- 
ing in and about the village of Pine Grove Mills, Centre County, Pennsyl- 
vania, feeling the inconvenience of travelling so far to church, and desiring 
to have the means of grace brought nearer to them, petitioned the Presby- 
tery of Huntingdon, at its meeting held October 8, 1834, to organize 
them into a separate church to be called the Pine Grove Presbyterian 
Church. Their prayer was favorably entertained by the Presbytery, 
and the Rev. James Linn was appointed to effect the organization if the 
way should be found to be clear. Accordingly, on the 14th day of 
November, 1834, the Pine Grove Presbyterian Church was organized 
with nineteen members received from Spring Creek Church. William 
McWilliams and Eli Hastings were chosen and duly set apart as ruling 
elders. 

This church has never been numerically strong, owing to the fact of 
its limited territory having been hemmed in by two larger, older, and 
thrifty churches, one on either side of it ; but it has shown life and 
activity under its different pastors, and has done a good work in its 
sphere, and now reports a roll of fifty members, with a Session of five 
ruling elders, a flourishing Sabbath-school, and an active Ladies' Mis- 
sionary Society. 

From the time of its organization until the year 1857 the congregation 
worshipped in a frame building erected by the Presbyterian, the German 
Reformed, and the Lutheran congregations as a union church, the 
different congregations alternating in their services. In 1857 the Pres- 
byterians built a neat and substantial brick building of their own, at a 
cost of three thousand six hundred dollars, which was properly dedi- 
cated, and in which they still worship. 



From 1835 to 1848 the church was served successively by Rev. 
Samnel Wilson, Rev. David McKinney, and Rev. John McKinney, each 
for a portion of his time. 

In 1848 the congregation called Rev. D. L. Hughes, who served 
them in connection with the Spruce Creek Church for one-third of his 
time until 1852. From 1854 to 1858 he served them as pastor for one- 
half of his time. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 235 

In 1859 they called Rev. S. M. Moore, who served them half his 
time until 1863. 

From 1864 to 1869 Rev. William J. Gibson served them as stated 
supply. In 1869 they called Rev. R. C. Boyson, who served them as 
pastor until March, 1873, when he was removed by death. 

From 1 88 1 to 1885 Rev. W. C. Kuhn served them as stated supply. 
In 1887, Rev. George Elliott was called to be their pastor, and served 
them in connection with Bald Eagle and Buffalo Run until March 
15, 1895, when he was, in the midst of his faithful labors, removed by 
death. 

Each of these brethren in his turn did faithful work in the pulpit and 
out of it, and was permitted to rejoice over precious fruits of his ministry 
among his people. 

The Rev. R. C. Bryson and the Rev. George Elliott died while amid 
the active duties of the pastorate, honored and beloved by all, and sadly 
mourned by an affectionate and appreciative people. " They rest from 
their labors', and their works do follow them." 

RULING ELDERS. 

Following William McWilliams and Eli Hastings, the two elders 
chosen at the organization of the church were John Patton and David 
Mitchell, elected in 1835 ; John Campbell and Hugh Laurimore, in 1849; 
William Murray and I. O. Campbell, in i860; Robert L. Williams, 
Thomas F. Patton, and H. A. McGonigle, 1871 ; followed by Robert 
Glenn and John B. Mitchell, and, April, 1884, David Reed, D. W. Miller, 
and Dr. George Woods. 

Of the above, eleven have passed to their reward, having served 

faithfully in the positions to which they were successively called. In 

three instances at least the mantle of the father seems to have fallen 

upon the son, the honored memory of the father having suffered nothing 

by the transfer. ti tt 

•^ Robert Hamill. 



PORT ROYAL. 



One hundred and thirty years have passed since the voice of the 
Presbyterian minister was first heard in the Tuscarora Valley. In 1763 
the Synod of New York and Philadelphia commissioned Revs. Charles 
Beatty and David Brainard to visit this part of Pennsylvania, and aid the 



236 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

people in securing the means of grace through organized churches and a 
living ministry. This effort failed, because of the hostility of the Indians, 
but was renewed with success by Rev. Charles Beatty and George 
Duffield in 1766. After a journey of nearly one hundred and forty 
miles they came into Tuscarora Valley. They learned that on a terri- 
tory of about sixty square miles there were eighty-four families. They 
also learned that the people expected to erect churches in this valley, 
one six and the other sixteen miles up from the river. 

These points answer to Academia and McCuUoch's Mills. These 
churches were first under the care of the Presbytery of Donegal, then of 
the Presbytery of Carlisle, and fell into the bounds of the Huntingdon 
Presbytery at its organization in 1795. The church organized at Aca- 
demia was called Lower Tuscarora, and Port Royal was for many years 
a part of that organization. 

The church of Port Royal (first named Perrysville) became a 
separate congregation in the month of October, 1865. The church 
building in which the congregation now worships was built in 1852, 
thirteen years before the organization of the congregation. When the 
church was organized the following ruling elders were elected, — viz., John 
McLaughlin, James McLaughlin, D. W. Flickinger, John Koons, George 
W. Strouse, and G. M. Graham, M.D. Five of these men had been 
elders in the Lower Tuscarora Church and were installed in the new 
organization, and Dr. Graham, who had not been an elder, was ordained 
and installed October 31, 1865. 

The second election of elders was held in February, 1870, arid the 
following persons were elected : Professor David Wilson, Isaac Hawn, 
Samuel Buck, A. J. Patterson, and R. E. Flickinger. These were 
ordained February 13, 1870. The third election was held April 27, 1879, 
and resulted in the election of the following: D. S. Coyle, Uriah Wise, 
N. D. Vandyke. In the year 1891, Hon. W. C. Pomeroy, A. W. Shelly, 
M.D., W. K. McLaughlin, and Harvey Wise were chosen ruling elders, 
and were ordained March 29, 1891. The present Session (October, 
1895) is James McLaughlin, Hon. W. C. Pomeroy, Dr. A. W. Shelly, 
and Harvey Wise. 

The first pastor of the Port Royal Presbyterian Church was installed 
in 1866 and remained until the close of the year 1870. 

The second pastor was Rev. J. H. Stewart, now of Redlands, Cali- 
fornia. He remained from 1871 until October, 1877. During his minis- 
try many were added to the church. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 237 

The third pastor was the Rev. R. F. Wilson, who took charge of the 
congregation in 1878 and remained until October, 1886. Under his 
careful management the church gradually increased in numbers and 
became well established in the Presbyterian faith. 

The present pastor, Rev. R. M. Campbell, entered upon his work in 
the spring of 1887. He found the church in good condition, and for 
nearly nine years there has been a marked unity of sentiment and action 
in the congregation. 

The Sabbath-school and Christian Endeavor Society are doing good 
work. The membership of the church at its organization was two hun- 
dred and thirteen ; its present membership numbers two hundred and 
twenty-three. 

R. M. Campbell. 



ROBERTSDALE. 



The Robertsdale Presbyterian Church presents but little that would 
be interesting in an historical sketch. 

The idea of organizing a Presbyterian church at Robertsdale origi- 
nated, I believe, with Rev. James H. Baird. He spent some time in 
visiting the people, and found a number of families, mostly Scotch, who 
were Presbyterian in their tendencies and many of whom were actual 
members in the old country. Presbytery appointed a committee, con- 
sisting of Rev. S. M. Moore, D.D., Rev. A. Nelson Hollifield, and Elder 
William P. Orbison, to organize the church, which they did on June 30, 
1880, consisting of twenty-one members and two elders, one of whom 
had previously been an elder in the church of Shade Gap. The report 
of the committee was adopted by Presbytery and the church enrolled 
October 12, 1880. 

A small, but neat and comfortable, church building was erected in 
1882 and 1883. The funds were contributed by the people of Roberts- 
dale (the Roman Catholics contributed liberally) assisted by outside 
friends and the Board of Church Erection. 

The church has never had a regular pastor. Rev. George Elliott 
was elected pastor, and served the church from March, 1884, to Decem- 
ber, 1886, but, so far as I can learn, he never was installed. Previous to 
Mr. Elliott, Rev. John McKean, Rev. S. W. Pomeroy, and Rev. G. K. 
Scott served the church as supplies. I have been supplying them once 
a month since 1887. 



238 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Since the organization of the church there have been received on 
certificate thirteen members, on examination seventeen. Adults baptized, 
six ; infants baptized, twenty-six. Dismissed on certificate, fourteen. 
Several have dismissed themselves, — that is, they left the place without 
lifting their certificates, and we have lost track of them. 

There are about twenty-four members still on the roll. A number 
of these have moved away to other mining districts, such as Six-Mile 
Run, where there is no Presbyterian church. We know where they are 
and their names are still on the roll, but they are too far off to attend church, 
and since the hard times commenced they have ceased to contribute. 

We have now only two Scotch families here, and the rising genera- 
tion of them do not appear to take to religion of any kind. Since 1890 
the population here has almost entirely changed. Many non-English- 
speaking foreigners have come in, who are mostly Catholics. The Eng- 
lish-speaking people who have come in have been mostly inclined to the 
Methodists. The mining boss is a Methodist, which has a great influ- 
ence with the church proclivities of many of the miners. 

The Sabbath-school averages about fifty. Financially our church is 
at a low ebb. For the last two years many of the families have had 
difficulty in getting enough to eat. 

N. A. McDonald. 



Note. — Rev. N. A. McDonald, D.D., pastor of this church, was borii in Franklin 
County, Pennsylvania. He removed in early boyhood with his parents to near Shade Gap, 
Pennsylvania. He united with the church there under the pastorate of the Rev. J. Y. 
McGinnis in 1849; prepared for college at the Milnwood Academy; graduated from Jefferson 
College in 1857 and from the Western Theological Seminary in i860; was licensed by the 
Presbytery of Huntingdon in 1 859, and ordained as a missionary to Siam by the same Presby- 
tery in i860. He sailed from New York for Siam by the way of Cape of Good Hope, June 
5, i860; arrived in Siam September 21 of the same year; and spent almost twenty-six years 
as a missionary, during which time he was treasurer of the mission funds of Siam and Laos. 
He was pastor of the First Church of Bangkok for nearly twenty years ; was acting United 
States consul and minister to the Siamese court at different times, in all nearly five years. 
For two years he was the only male member of the Siam Mission who could speak the 
language. He translated into the Siamese language, of the Old Testament, the books of Ex- 
odus, Joshua, Ruth, First and Second Kings, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Daniel. He 
also revised the former translation of the entire New Testament. He compiled and translated 
a small work on astronomy and one of natural philosophy; also translated, for the Siamese 
government, a small work on logic and one on political economy. In 1869, during the massa- 
cre of native Christians under the late King Chiang Mai, he was selected by the Siam mission, 
in company with the Rev. S. C. George, as an ambassador to Chiang Mai, to secure protection 
for the resident missionaries. 

H. G. F. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 239 

SAXTON. 

The Saxton congregation was organized in 1861, with Rev. Samuel 
Lawrence as pastor. Services were first held in a small brick school- 
house. The present church edifice — a two-story fi-ame building thirty- 
five by fifty-five feet, with lecture-room on first floor, situated on the 
corner of Catharine and Church Streets, occupying two lots, fronting one 
hundred and fifty feet on Catharine Street and one hundred feet on 
Church Street — was erected in 1867, and dedicated in the fall of that 
year, Rev. William Harding officiating. The church was incorporated 
March 15, 1875. 

Ministers. — Rev. David Banks ; Rev. J. R. Graves, 1868 ; Rev. Boal, 
1871 to 1875 ; Rev. E. P. Foresman, 1876 to 1878 ; Rev. J. H. Baird, 1878 
to 1880; Rev. J. C. Wilhelm, 1880 to 1883; from August 31, 1883,10 
May I, 1885, supplies; Rev. Harvey Shaw, May i, 1885, to 1887; Rev. 
W.A.Schuyler, 1887, to August, 1892; Rev. William Prideaux, Sep- 
tember, 1892, to the present time. 

Theo. p. Fockler. 



SCHELLSBURG. 



The Presbyterian Church of Schellsburg, Pennsylvania, was organ- 
ized May 18, 1833, with thirty-nine members. The records of the 
church are very imperfect for several years after its organization. Rev. 
James G. Breckenridge seems to have been the pastor at the time of 
organization, but there are no records from May 19, 1833, to August 14, 
1836, when Rev. Daniel McBruley administered the communion. Rev. 
Henry K. Wilson, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, administered the commu- 
nion December 4, 1836, June 4 and December, 1837. 

Rev. D. D. Clark was pastor from 1838 to 1843, Rev, G. S. Ingles from 
1844 to 1847, Rev. W. L. McCalla in 1848 and 1849, Rev. T. K. Davis 
from 1850 to 1855, Rev. Daniel Willims in 1858 and 1859, Rev. Wil- 
liam Prideaux from 1861 to 1863, Rev. J. H. Donaldson from 1864 to 
1867, Rev. J. C. Wilhelm from 1869 to 187 1, Rev. E. P. Foresman from 
1873 to 1875, Rev. Thomas McMinch from 1878 to 1882, Rev. George K. 
Scott from 1883 to 1885, Rev. J. F. Dienn from 1885 to 1890, and Rev. 
W. H. Schuyler from 1891 to the present time. 



240 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The names of ruling elders in order of service are as follows : James 
Taylor, Sr., Benjamin Gibbony, John Smith, Benjamin Blymyer, William 
McMillen, George Hunt, Robert M. Taylor, James Taylor, James Mul- 
lin, Richard M. Stuckey, A. J. Snively, W. A. B. Clark, John Sill, James 
McVicken, B. F. Henderson, Prof W. R. Vaughn, Isaiah Conley, George 
W. Taylor, and Reuben R. Colin. 

The names of those who were members of this church and became 
ministers are Albert Clark, John H. Clark, T. T. Ealy, and Silas Fait. 

About twenty-five members withdrew from this church to organize 
the Mann's Choice Presbytferian Church about the year 1875; records 
do not show exact date. Present membership seventy-one. 

Isaiah Conley. 



SHADE GAR 



The first religious services in the vicinity of Shade Gap were held in 
the grove of sugar- and walnut-trees which once covered the site of the 
present Presbyterian Church and cemetery attached thereto. The hand 
of the vandal has spared but few of these fine trees. Here, beneath their 
grateful shade, the faithful old-time worshippers gathered and listened 
devoutly to the expounding of the gospel. Theirs was a simple and 
abiding faith in the promises contained in the Word of God. How long 
they worshipped thus before they organized the " Little Aughwick Con- 
gregation," as this church was first called, we do not know, but Rev. 
Charles Beatty, who held services at the Juniata end of the Tuscarora 
Valley in 1766, says there was at that time no house of worship in the 
whole valley. The first record of this congregation the writer finds in 
Gibson's " History of the Huntingdon Presbytery," which says, — 

"In the spring of 1798, Alexander Mcllvaine, a licentiate, who had lately come to this 
country, made application to be received under the care of the Presbytery. . . . 

" On the 17th of April, 1799, the Presbytery made the following minute in respect to Mr. 
Mcllvaine : Having now resided and preached within the bounds of this Presbytery for upwards 
of one year, his case was reviewed : . . . 

" On the 2d of October following [1799] a call from the United Congregation of Upper 
Tuscarora and Little Aughwick for the pastoral services of Mr. Mcllwaine, promising him a 
salary of one hundred and fifty-one pounds. Mr. Mcllvaine declared his acceptance of the 
call, and on the 6th day of November of the same year he was ordained by the Presbytery and' 
installed pastor of said congregations." 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 24 1 

In the minutes of Presbytery for 1803 Mr. Mcllvaine is recorded as 
pastor in charge of " Upper Tuscarora, etc." Upper Tuscarora is now 
called Waterloo, and the " etc." meant Shade Gap and other places. The 
first reference in the General Assembly minutes to service at Shade Gap 
is found in 1809, when the name of the church only — " Upper Tuscarora 
and Aughwick" — is given. 

The original Session book was purchased by Captain James Morton 
September 2, 1800, and the record runs from December 6, 1800, to June 
16, 1854. No further record appears until June 27, 1868, which is in a 
new Session book. Rev. Alexander Mcllvaine, who was without doubt 
the first regular minister of the Little Aughwick congregation, receipts 
for salary in the old Session book as follows : 

Rec'd ill full of all accounts from the Congregation of Little Aughwick due me for the year 
1800 per me 75 14th Apr. 1801. A. McIlwain. 

Rec'd Sixty-nine Dollars 3s and four pence half peny this 17th April 1802 per me. 

A. Mc. 
Rec'd Thirty-six shillings and I peny this 7th of May 1802 per me. A. McIlwain. 

Rec"d from Aughwick Congregation May 28, 1804, per Wm. Morrow Collector, ;!^53-l6-o. 

per me A. McIlwain. 

He was united in marriage with Catherine Canan October 7, 1800, 
by Rev. John Johnson, of Hartslog Valley. He was a physician as well 
as a minister. We find no record of the severance of his relations with 
the church at Shade Gap, but the following subscription list perhaps 
indicates the time of his retirement: 

We and each of us do promise to pay unto Rev. Samuel Bell yearly and every year the 
sums annexed to our names during the time he shall continue to exercise his ministerial func- 
tion among us. 

Witness our hands this 28th day of March, 1 808. 
George Hudson 8.75 



Alex. Blair 6.00 

John Blair 4.00 

James Clements 5.00 

George Wilson 5.00 

Matthew Taylor 4.00 

Patk. Fitzsimmons 2.00 

James McKee 4 00 

Hugh Glenn 2.00 

Thos. Murphy 2.00 

Geo. McGee 2.00 

Wm. Likely 3.00 

James Speer 2.50 



Nathl. Kelley i.oo 

Jas. Crouthers, Sr 2.00 

Hugh Arters 2.00 

Gavin Clugage 4.00 

Thos. Clugage 4.00 

Agnes Clugage 3.00 

Jane Clugage 3-00 

John Bell 2.00 

Jos. Campbell 2.00 

James Magee i.oo 

James Waters i.oo 

Wm. Swan 5.00 

John Appleby, Sr 3.00 



242 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



Gordon Speer 2.50 

Gilbert Kennedy 3.00 

Robert Taylor 2.50 

Robert Marshall . 2.00 

David Marshall 2.00 

James Clements 2 00 

James Crouthers . 1. 00 

Archd. Slitt 1. 50 

Robert Welch 2.00 

James Fleming 3.00 

Wm. Wilson 1.50 

Wm. Fareman 3.50 

Robert Fleming 2.00 

Alex. McElroy 2,00 

Nicholas Wilson 2.00 

Wm. Scott i.oo 

Hugh Johnston 2.00 

John Wilson i.oo 

George Moor 1.33 

Robert Clements I.oo 

Saml. Falkender 2.00 

John Ramsey 1.33 

Benj. Briggs i.oo 

James Piper 3.00 

Saml. Parsons i.oo 

Jane Martin i.oo 

Wm. Morrow 3.00 

Mary Fitzsimmons 2.67 

David Cree I.oo 

John Kelley i 00 

The footing on the original is ^174 5S. 



John Appleby, Jr 2.00 

Alex. Appleby .... 2.00 

James McNeal 3.00 

Matthew Martin 2.00 

Saml. Waters 2.00 

John Harper i.oo 

Hector Harper 3.00 

Robert Harper 1.50 

Saml. McCune 1.50 

Robt. Wilson 2.00 

John Shaw 2.00 

Polly and Nancy Frame 1.50 

Thos. Wilson 2.00 

Mich. Bolinger, Jr i.oo 

Wm. McClean i.oo 

Robert Brown 2.00 

Richard Hall i.oo 

John Garner i.oo 

John Downs i.oo 

Barty Davis i.oo 

John Tague 1 .00 

Mich. Mills I.oo 

Thos. Eliot I.oo 

Hugh Richison i.oo 

Joseph Campbell 2.00 

Thos. Moreland i.oo 

Robert McNeal i.oo 

James Welch i.oo 

John Shell i.oo 

Alex. Rankin 2.00 



In 1809 we find Presbytery supplying the pulpit, and we doubt if 
Rev. Bell ever served the congregation. 

For some reason or other the congregation held services in other 
places besides the old church. Mr. Alexander Appleby, now eighty 
years old, and his twin sister, the late Mrs. A. E. Taylor, were baptized 
in the old Hudson grist-mill, and the Foreman House, now used by 
Squire Zeigler as an office, was used for a time by this congregation. 

In the Assembly Report for 18 14, " Upper Tuscarora and Aughwick, 
Shirleysburg, Wayne, Millerstown, and Chincklecamoose" are marked 
" Vacant, united able to support pastor ;" in 1 8 19 " Upper Tuscarora and 
Aughwick" are " Vacant, united able to support pastor;" and in 1825 
the two churches are separately marked vacant, and fifty-three given as 
the strength of the Aughwick Church. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 243 

In 1824 Rev. George Gray was called to take charge of these two 
churches, which had been vacant since the death of Mr. Mcllvaine, and 
for twenty-five years was their faithful and zealous pastor. Rev. George 
Gray was born in Antrim County, Ireland, in 1772, and, his parents dying 
when he was quite young, he was placed in charge of relatives. At the 
age of sixteen he embraced religion, and joined the church under the 
care of Rev. W. M. Rutherford, in Down County, Ireland. His academic 
studies were pursued in Ireland, his collegiate and theological courses in 
Edinburgh, Scotland. He was licensed to preach the gospel and ordained 
in 1796 by the Independents of Ireland. In this connection he labored 
for a number of years, and his wife dying he came to America, landing 
in Philadelphia in August, 1820, where he met his eminent fellow-coun- 
tryman, Rev. Samuel B. Wylie, who, knowing him to be thoroughly 
orthodox in his doctrine, urged him to join the Presbyterian Church. 
From here he went to Northumberland Presbytery, became a member, 
and passed his first years as a missionary. 

He resigned the Aughwick charge September 30, 1843, and in October, 
1849, pressed with the infirmities of age, being nearly fourscore, he 
tendered his resignation to the Upper Tuscarora Church and closed his 
active ministerial life. He seldom preached afterwards, except on dedi- 
catory occasions. He suffered from dimness of vision, but retained his 
reasoning faculties to the last. He was cheerful and contented, amiable 
in disposition and interesting in conversation. He died August 26, i860, 
of natural decay. He was twice married, — first to Margaret Smith, who 
died in Ireland, and second, to Mrs. Amy Warrick, widow of George 
Warrick. She, with two sons and three daughters, survived him. There 
is no evidence that he was an author. 

Between 1842 and 1844 the Shade Gap Church seems to have been 
supplied by Presbytery, Revs. Collins, Peeples, Sterrett, Jardine, and 
Nurrs filling the pulpit at different times. 

Rev. James Y. McGinnes, who followed Mr. Gray, infused such a 
wonderful amount of enthusiasm into the community about Shade Gap, 
displayed so much energy in his undertakings, and crowded so much 
good in the short life he spent there, that he deserves something more 
than a mere passing notice. It was not the writer's privilege and good 
fortune to know him personally, but he has read and heard enough about 
this good man, and of his wonderful success in building up in the wilder- 
ness a fine educational institution, to satisfy him that James Y. McGinnes 
was no ordinary man, and that his untimely death in the midst of what 



244 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

seemed his life-work was a public calamity but faintly realized at the time. 
He was born December 8, 1815, at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and 
was the son of Rev. George McGinnes, who emigrated to this country from 
Ireland with his parents, who were Presbyterians, in 1787. He married 
Elizabeth M. Criswell, of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, October 22, 
1840, and after preaching in the West for several years came to Shade 
Gap, and served as stated supply for the Little Aughwick Congregation 
for one year from October i, 1844, and on October 8, 1845, accepted 
their call. Mr. Brice Blair presented him with a lot, and in 1847 Mr. 
McGinnes began the erection of the stone cottage which stands south of 
the Academy Hall, and in this he lived till his death, August 31, 185 1, in 
the eleventh year of his ministry. He left a wife and five children, and is 
buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 
where a nine-foot monument, erected by his students and friends, marks 
his resting-place. 

Rev. McGinnes was beloved by all, and especially by his students. 
He was highly gifted, and successful beyond all expectations with the 
church and school, which were really built up together, and whose interests 
were so interwoven that the history of one is that of the other, and had 
he lived the usual span of life it is believed that a Presbyterian college 
would now stand on the ground at present occupied by the old buildings 
around which so many tender recollections and associations cling, and 
which to-day only furnish shelter and seclusion for owls and bats. 

Rev. J. B. Adams served the church for six months from October 9, 
185 1, and in the summer of 1852 Revs. Elliott, Floyd, and S. H. McDon- 
ald acted as supply. On March 28, 1853, Rev. W. S. Morrison was 
called, and from November 12, 1853, till October 8, 1856, acted as regular 
pastor. From the last date till May 25, 1857, when he was released 
from the charge, the church was supplied by Presbytery. In 1858 
Thomas Ward, a licentiate, was placed in charge, and on March 9, 1859, 
Rev. Garret Van Artsdalen was called for one year, and divided his time 
between the Shade Gap Church and the Pine Grove, or Mountain Foot, 
Church, a new one erected near Robert Fleming's. He served till March 
18, 1865, and on April i, following, his connection with these churches 
ceased. From September 24, 1865, R. Lewis McCune acted as supply, 
and on March 19, 1866, was called and took charge of the pulpits. He 
was followed by Rev. William C. Kuhn, who became pastor on Sep- 
tember 10, 1867, and served the congregations faithfully till June i L, 
1879, when Rev. John D. Owens took charge, and was succeeded in 









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ORIGINAL AND PRESENT CHURCH AT SHADE GAP, PA. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



245 



1885 by Rev. L. L. Houghawout, who was followed by the present 
pastor, Rev. J. H. Deiner, who took charge in 1890. 

The accompanying cut is a good picture of the first Presbyterian 





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meeting-house. It was originally a plain two-gabled log building, thirty- 
two by thirty-eight feet, built about 1 800, afterwards plastered and pebble- 
dashed. Rev. McGinnes describes it in 1840 as "a little white church." 



246 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

It stood about one hundred feet north of the present brick structure. It 
had no belfry or spire, and the roofing was of " improved clapboards," — 
shingles three feet long, — with plain boxing under the eaves, but no 
gable projections. It was heated by two stoves, whose pipes united in 
a large drum close under the ceiling, which was twelve feet high, and 
passed through the roof single. The floor space was divided into four 
sections, containing twenty-six pews, by aisles seven feet wide leading to 
three doors and to the pulpit. The latter, which was on the northwest, 
or graveyard side, was entered by steps, and had a wooden canopy for a 
sounding-board, and opposite was the front door, whose sill was level 
with the ground, but the southwest door, which was the first reached 
from the road, was most used and had one stone step, as had the third, 
or northeast door. The doors were all alike, double but narrow, whole 
width four feet, and height seven feet two inches. There were six win- 
dows, each having fifteen lights, eight by ten, — one on each side of 
pulpit, one in each end on west half of church, and one on each side of 
front door. 

The following old-time worshippers sat in the seats indicated in the 
accompanying diagram cf the old log church : 

1. James Morton, Thomas Wilson, and John Bigham. 

2. Patrick Fitzsimmons, Robert Marshall, and James Crouthers. 

3. John Appleby, Gilbert Kennedy. 

4. George Wilson, Robert Harper. 

5. William Swan. 

6. Thomas Cluggage, Widow Cluggage, John Bell. 

7. Rev. Alexander McElwain. 

8. Jeremiah Robinson, James Spear, Hugh Dougherty. 

9. James Marshall, William Marshall, Hugh Arters, Patrick Fitz- 
simmons, James Fleming. 

10. Matthew Taylor, King Fitzsimmons. 

11. James and John Berry. 

12. James McKee, William Morrow. 

13. James Fleming. 

14. John Wilson. 

15. James Clements, Samuel Caldwell. 

16. Alexander Blair. 

17. Dennis Hanlon, Joseph Campbell. 

18. William Steel. 

19. Gaven Cluggage, Hugh Glenn. 







'^ 






jMi- 






^ 



y 





OF THE PRESBYTERY OF BUATINGDON. 24/ 

20. George Hudson. 

21. William Waters. 

22. John Hudson. 

23. John Carolus. 

24. James Crouthers, Samuel Crouthers. 

25. John Davis. 

26. James McKee, John Gilliland. 

William Gififord, William Crocker, Leonard Gooshorn, Archey 
McGlauchlin, Archey Paterson, John Eagleton, William Vaun, Simon 
Bolinger, and Conrad Johnston appear as " Subscribers not placed in 
seats December, 1800." 

On April 18, 1848, a contract was entered into by the building com- 
mittee, George Wilson, Thomas Montague, and Atchison B. Hudson, 
with William A. Hudson for the delivery on the site of the new church, 
before August i, of eighty thousand bricks, for which he was to be paid 
three hundred dollars. The church must have been completed the same 
summer, for we find in the fall of 1848 that the old church was used for 
school purposes, a " classical school" having been started in the old 
building immediately after the dedication of the new brick church. This 
was the germ of Old Milnwood. Rev. McGinnes was the founder, and 
Henry Beers was the first student, or " nest-egg," as the boys called him, 
and he with George T. Hudson constituted the entire class for the first 
two or three weeks, but before the end of the session there were twenty- 
two students, nine of whom were boarders. In the second term there 
were forty, among whom were the following : N. A. McDonald, late 
missionary to Siam ; David M. Gregg, late Auditor-General of the State; 
Horatio G. Fisher, late Congressman and State Senator ; John M. Buoy, 
J. Shippen Burd, Denton D. Culbertson, Dunlap Dickson, James S. Rob- 
inson, Henry R. Shearer, Henry Beers, John Foote, Amos Foote, William 
A. Gray, and David H. Barren. In the third term there were fifty stu- 
dents, and soon after the school attendance increased to eighty, when 
Mr. McGinnes, who had thrown his whole soul into the enterprise, 
secured the erection, through a stock company, in 1849, of the large 
stone building which was soon used entirely for boarders. In September 
of this year their first exhibition was held in this building, and in after- 
years this semi-annual entertainment was one of the most attractive 
features of the institution. The school continued to grow in favor, and 
soon Rev. McGinnes found he would have, as he said, " to enlarge the 
borders of his tent," and in 1850 erected the Academy Hall, fifty by 



248 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

thirty-six, for recitation purposes. The old church having been torn 
down, they worked the logs into the frame of the Hall. The next 
improvement was the construction of frame sleeping apartments in 1851. 
The following persons taught in Milnwood after the death of Rev. 
McGinnes : John Henry Wilson McGinnes, D. McKinney, Samuel 
Campbell, R. H. Morrow, William H. Woods, W. M. Williamson, Rev. 
G. Van Artsdalen, William A. Hunter, L. H. Beers, R. S. Kuhn, Rev. 
William C. Kuhn, J. R. Baker, and Rev. George Scott. Rev. Scott 
made the last earnest effort to revive the old school, but failed. R. S. 
Kuhn has owned the property since 1868. A list of the students of old 
Milnwood would fill a book. The course of study under the old pro-, 
fessors was extensive, the instruction very thorough, the discipline first- 
class, and the reputation of the school was well sustained for many years, 
and we cannot but think that the superficial instruction of to-day which 
obtains in many of our so-called colleges is scarcely up to that given 
at Old Milnwood when she was in her prime. 

S. D. Caldwell. 



SHAVER'S CREEK. 

This church was organized some years before the Presbytery was, 
perhaps in 1783 or 1785. Among its pastors Matthew Stephens was 
called October 4, 1797, installed June, 1798, and released April 18, 18 10. 
There were probably other pastors up to 1834, but during many of these 
years it only had occasional supplies. 

David Sterrett became pastor May 30, 1834. Revs. Drs. Jas. S. 
Woods and Samuel Wilson installed him. He was released April 11, 

1848, and died June 21, 1871. Richard Curran was installed May 25, 

1849, by S. H. McDonald, D. Sterrett, and D. L. Hughes, D.D. ; re- 
leased April 12, 1859. 

This church had its main building at Manor Hill, which, lately 
re-roofed, still stands, but is unused. The present building is near 
McAlevy's Fort. 

The church has forty-eight members and two elders, Hugh A. Jack- 
son and James Smith. It has for many years had a pastor, in connec- 
tion with Petersburg and Bethel, for a short time, but for the most part 
only occasional supplies. 

R. F. Wilson. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 249 

SHIRLEYSBURG. 

This church was organized early in the present century. T. 
McGehon, M.D., of Franklin County, Rev. John Johnston, of Hunting- 
don, Rev. Samuel Woods, D.D., of Lewistown, Rev. Gray, of Shade 
Gap, Rev. John Peebles, of Huntingdon, and Rev. Carroll, of Newton 
Hamilton, all preached here previous to 1839. 

The list of pastors and stated supplies, beginning with 1839, is as 
follows : 

Name. Year. 

Rev. Britton E. Collins, stated supply 1839-1854. 

Rev. G. W. Shaeffer, pastor 1855-1866. 

Rev. Cochrane Forbes, stated supply 1867-1870. 

Rev. Samuel C. Alexander, pastor 1871-1873. 

Rev. William Prideaux, pastor • 1874-1875. 

Rev. R. A. Watson, stated supply 1877-1878. 

Rev. Stephen Pomeroy, pastor . 1878-1884. 

Rev. D. H. Campbell, pastor 1884-1892. 

Rev. W. G. Finney, pastor 1892. 

The following is a list of the ruling elders, with date of entering upon 
office : 

Name. Year. 

Samuel Carothers and Randall Alexander 1828. 

Henry Brewster 1844. 

John Douglass and A. O. Brown 1845. 

J. C. Bollinger and R. W. Dorter 1852. 

Samuel Wilson and Jacob Rothrock 

John Brewster and Samuel R. Douglass 1855. 

Robert Bigham 1855. 

Daniel Montague and Dr. M. J. McKennaw i860. 

J. J. Postlewaite • 

Henry R. Hudson and Charles R. McCarthy 1867. 

Jonathan Montague 1867. 

John Alexander and Robert Kerr . 1868. 

Daniel Brandt and Jesse Peterson 1872. 

John Nelson and John Douglass 1892. 

The present elders are Henry Hudson, Daniel Brandt, John Nelson, 
and John Douglass. 

The present church was built in 1830. The interior has been repaired 
and much changed. The exterior is preserved the same, with its brick- 
paved porch and four pillars in front. It is a white frame building. 

Shirleysburg is a mother church. The Presbyterians of Mount Union 
and Orbisonia were formerly identified with Shirleysburg in membership, 



250 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

though each had its own place of worship. Mount Union, in 1867, and 
Orbisonia, in 1873, formed distinct congregations. In 1839 there were 
one hundred and thirty members, which included Orbisonia and Mount 
Union, This year, 1895, there are eighty-six members. 

Two ministers have gone out from this congregation, Rev. William 
Alexander, D.D., now of San Anselmo, California, and Rev. Samuel C. 
Alexander, now of Millerstown, Pennsylvania, both sons of Randall 
Alexander, whose name appears second on the list of ruling elders. The 
younger brother, Samuel, was pastor at Shirleysburg from 187 1 to 1873. 

William G. Finney. 



SINKING CREEK AND SPRING CREEK. 

The history of the rise and progress of the Sinking Creek and the 
Spring Creek Churches has been, from their origin to within a short 
time, so blended that it seems proper, if not necessary, that this sketch 
should include both, and the writer proposes so to give it. The sources 
from which to gather the early history of these churches are so limited 
— there being no sessional records until 1834, and then up to 1841 being 
very brief — that the writer has been compelled to draw his supplies from 
brief Presbyterial allusions to the churches and from reliable statements 
received from the aged pastor. Rev. William Stuart, and the aged 
members of the congregations found among the living at the time of his 
entrance upon the field fifty years ago. 

Soon after the settlement of Penn's Valley by the Scotch-Irish, of 
which element its first settlers were largely composed, we find the 
people, — about the year 1775, — after having provided homes for them- 
selves, considering their spiritual interests and aiming to provide for 
religious privileges. In pursuance of this object they sent a commission 
to the then far-away town of Carlisle, to a meeting of the Presbytery of 
Donegal, asking for supplies. The Presbytery regarded favorably their 
prayer and resolved to send them occasional supplies, to meet the people 
at different points, to preach, to administer the ordinances, and to 
catechise the children. 

We find upon the old Presbyterial records Warrior's Mark, Half 
Moon, East and West Penn's Valley, and Brush Valley named as 
" stations" where services were held. Subsequently Penn's Creek, Cedar 
Creek, and later Sinking Creek and Spring Creek are named. 







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OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 25 I 

Some time after this East and West Penn's Valley were fixed as 
permanent places for services and informally resolved themselves into 
organizations as churches. East Penn's Valley was located near the 
head of Penn's Creek, and West Penn's Valley near the head of Cedar 
Creek. The lower end of Penn's Valley becoming largely populated by 
Germans, and the Scotch-Irish settlers multiplying farther up the valley, 
a preaching place was located at Centre Hill and denominated the 
Sinking Creek Church, and the West Penn's Valley people advanced 
their preaching place from Cedar Creek to the Slab-Cabin Branch 
of Spring Creek, and located a preaching place there called Spring 
Creek. Thus Sinking Creek and Spring Creek resolved themselves into 
organizations about 1780, and about this time appear on the records of 
the Presbytery, recognized as organized churches, while there is no 
record of their formal organization. These churches, thus coming into 
existence after having been served for some time by supplies, formed a 
united charge under successive pastors for eighty-six years, from 1789 
to 1875, having had during this period six pastors, the combined pastor- 
ates of two of whom extended over sixty-two years, or nearly three- 
fourths of the time. 

Up to this time, 1875, these churches as a united charge grew and 
strengthened until they numbered over two hundred families and over 
four hundred members, under the pastorate of the last incumbent of the 
united charge. They have both met with heavy losses by death and 
removal, and by colonies going into new organizations around them, 
until at the present time half their numerical strength has gone. Sink- 
ing Creek especially has suffered very serious depletion. Spring Creek 
has suffered largely from new organizations springing up on territory 
formerly included in her bounds. Pine Grove, Bald Eagle, Buffalo Run, 
and State College Churches are all children of the Spring Creek Church, 
each being located in territory chiefly, if not altogether, covered by the 
Spring Creek Church in its original organization. While the mother 
has felt the loss, she rejoices in the healthful growth and prosperity of 
her children. Each of the churches of Sinking Creek and Spring Creek 
has been a rich blessing to the beautiful valley in which they have been 
located. A multitude of redeemed ones who on earth were privileged 
to share the means of grace within their bounds will have reason 
throughout eternity to bless the day that these churches were located 
near by their earthly homes. 



252 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

THE BUILDINGS. 

The first church building in Penn's Valley, the site of the Sinking 
Creek and Spring Creek Churches, was erected in the year 1785 by the 
East Penn's Valley congregation. It was near the head of Penn's Creek, 
about two miles from Spring Mills, and was denominated the East 
Penn's Valley Church. It was a plain log structure, with seating capacity 
for about two hundred. Its construction doubtless taxed the liberality 
of the people more than some of its more costly successors. 

This church was followed by a building of the same style, but some- 
what larger and more costly, erected at Centre Hill by the Sinking 
Creek congregation in 1793. This, after having been remodelled, served 
the congregation until 1842, when it was superseded by a handsome 
brick building, at a cost of some eight thousand dollars, which was 
entered in 1843. This edifice, after being occupied for seventeen years, 
was thoroughly repaired; being remodelled, repainted, papered, cush- 
ioned, and carpeted, at a cost of about two thousand dollars, and thus 
remains until this day. While in former years this building was at times 
too strait for the congregation, there being more people than there were 
pews to accommodate them, now, with the congregation diminished by 
death and by emigration, the size of the building is beyond- the present 
demand. The village of Centre Hall springing up in these latter years 
in the bounds of the congregation, a very neat church edifice was erected 
there in 1888, at a cost of four thousand dollars, for the accommodation 
of the families residing in that vicinity. Both of these buildings reflect 
great credit upon the people who supplied them. 

The Spring Creek congregation first decided to build at the head of 
Cedar Creek, where they had been accustomed to worship in a log 
school-house, and where they had located a graveyard. But after 
gathering the materials for building they changed their mind as to 
locality (in view, we judge, of the proximity of the new Sinking Creek 
Church at Centre Hill), and resolved to build farther west on the Slab- 
Cabin Branch of Spring Creek. Here, on their newly-chosen site, they 
erected a log building in the year 1794. In this building, unfinished, 
without pews, pulpit, floor, ceiling, or windows, they worshipped for 
some time, apparently unable to complete the work. Subsequently, 
however, inspired by the accession of a new pastor in the person of 
Rev. Wm. Stuart, with new energy, they resolved to finish the building, ' 
and accordingly contracted with Wm. Neal " to provide the mate- 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 253 

rials and finish the house, in consideration of the full sum of three 
hundred and fifty dollars, to be duly paid upon its completion." This 
work, commenced July 2, 1801, was completed in April, 1802. In this 
building they worshipped for thirty years, until 1832, when they re- 
paired and enlarged the building, and in it thus remodelled they con- 
tinued to worship until the 1 8th of April, 1847, when, on Sabbath night 
after service, it was destroyed by fire a year after the entrance of their 
pastor, Mr. Hamill, upon his work. 

When the congregation came together to consult about the erection 
of a new church, the question as to a change of location was agitated, 
and so bitter was the controversy on this point that a year transpired 
before the parties could come to terms, and then the difficulty was only 
settled by an agreement to build two churches, one at Boalsburg and the 
other at the old site. Those in favor of the old site immediately se- 
cured a subscription and built a plain frame structure at a cost of some 
two thousand dollars ; the other party, failing in their project, returned 
to the parent church, and harmony was successfully restored. 

In this house the congregation worshipped for twenty-five years, 
when it was resolved to build a new church more worthy of the congre- 
gation and a truer index to the taste and refinement of the people. At 
this juncture the question of a change of location again came up, and 
after an exciting controversy it was finally decided to place the new 
church at Lemiont, where the present chaste and substantial structure 
was erected, at a cost of some fifteen thousand dollars, and was entered 
free from debt January 7, 1872. In this beautiful edifice the congregation 
now worship, — an edifice that will stand for generations to come as a 
worthy monument of the Christian liberality of those who erected it. 

That part of the Spring Creek congregation in and around the 
village of State College, feeling the need of a place for religious service 
and for Sabbath-school and Bible-class purposes, resolved to build a 
chapel of ease at State College, which purpose resulted in the erection 
of a beautiful edifice, costing about five thousand dollars, at that point, 
which was dedicated as a house of worship March 18, 1888. Another 
neat chapel was built, at a cost of some two thousand dollars, at Boals- 
burg, in 1892, for the convenience of the members of this church re- 
siding there. These differeat edifices are worthy of those who partici- 
pated in securing their construction, and are proper indices to the 
liberality, good taste, and Christian spirit of those who are or have been 
identified with the venerable Spring Creek Presbyterian Church. 



254 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



THE PASTORS. 

For some fifteen years after the people of Penn's Valley first appear 
upon the records of the Presbyteries of Donegal and Carlisle they were 
compelled to depend upon occasional supplies appointed to preach at 
intervals of two and three months. This was owing, we suppose, 
first, to the scarcity of ministers, and, second, to the unsettled condi- 
tion of the country and the frequent murderous - depredations of the 
Indian tribes. Tradition tells us that it was not unfrequently necessary 
for the minister and the people to assemble on the Sabbath for worship 
armed with rifles, to protect themselves from assaults by the Indians 
who now and then traversed and sojourned among our mountains and 
valleys. 

After depending for years upon these occasional supplies, the Rev. 
James Martin, pastor of Pine Creek Church, visited this region, and, as 
the result, on the 15th of April, 1789, a call was presented at a meeting 
of the Presbytery at Carlisle for his pastoral services from the churches 
of East Penn's Valley, West Penn's Valley, Warrior's Mark, and Half 
Moon, each agreeing to give him thirty-two and a half pounds in specie 
for one-fourth of his time. These calls Mr. Martin accepted and was 
installed accordingly. He continued pastor of these four churches for 
some two years, when Warrior's Mark and Half Moon were given up, 
and his labors were confined to East and West Penn's Valley. In April, 
1793, Sinking Creek Church having assumed an organized form, Mr. 
Martin ceased to supply West Penn's Valley, — now Spring Creek, — and 
devoted his whole time to East Penn's Valley and Sinking Creek. 
A year later he gave up Sinking Creek Church and continued to preach 
at East Penn's Valley Church until the time of his death, which oc- 
curred June 20, 1795. He was buried in the graveyard of the East 
Penn's Valley Church, where his remains lie beneath a slate or limestone 
slab, on which is found the following inscription : 

" Here lies the body of the Rev. James Martin, pastor of the Pres- 
byterian Congregation in Penn's Valley, who died June 20, a.d. 1795, 
aged about sixty-five years. 

" Deep was the wound, O death ! and vastly wide. 
When he resigned his useful breath and died. 
Ye sacred tribes, with pious sorrow mourn. 
And drop a tear at your dear pastor's urn. 




SINKING CREEK. ELDERS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 255 

Concealed a moment from our longing eyes 
Beneath this stone his mortal body lies. 
Happy the spirit lives, and will, we trust, 
In bliss associate with his precious dust." 

Mr. Martin's reputation, as tradition gives it, was that of a godly 
man, a sound divine, an earnest and instructive preacher, and a success- 
ful pastor. Of the statistical results of his pastorate we, unfortunately, 
have no record. 

Mr. Martin was succeeded by Mr. David Wiley, a licentiate of the 
Presbytery of New Castle, who was first called by Cedar Creek and 
Spring Creek Churches in April, 1793, which call he accepted, and was 
ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Carlisle, in the town of 
Carlisle, April 9, 1794, commissioners being present from these churches. 
After Mr. Martin's death Mr. Wiley was called for half his time to the 
Sinking Creek Church. This call he accepted, and sustained the rela- 
tion of pastor to this church for one year, when, in October, 1797, he 
resigned the charge of Sinking Creek, but retained the charge of Spring 
Creek for two years longer. June 12, 1799, he resigned the charge of 
Spring Creek, at a meeting of Presbytery held in Spring Creek Church. 

From all we can gather in regard to Mr. Wiley, he seems to have 
been recognized as a faithful and instructive minister, an efficient pres- 
byter, and was held in favorable esteem by the people of his charge. 
No statistics as to the results of his pastorate are to be found. 

After Mr. Wiley retired from the charge of these churches, they 
were visited by Mr. William Stuart, a licentiate of the Presbytery of 
New Castle, who was called March 8, 1801, to the pastorate of the 
Sinking Creek and Spring Creek and East Penn's Valley Churches, each 
asking one-third of his time. The calls were presented and accepted at 
a meeting of the Presbytery held in Huntingdon April 7, 1801, and Mr. 
Stuart was ordained and installed October 7, 180 1, at a meeting of 
Presbytery held in Sinking Creek Church. He continued pastor of this 
united charge until 1805, when the pastoral relation with the East Penn's 
Valley Church was dissolved, and the churches of Sinking Creek and 
Spring Creek agreed each to take one-half of his time. The East 
Penn's Valley Church soon after this was absorbed by the Sinking Creek 
Church. In this relation Mr. Stuart continued for thirty-three years, 
when, from physical disability, induced by the fracture of a limb caused 
by the kick of a horse, received as he was returning from the Spring 
Creek Church on the Sabbath, he was compelled to resign his charge. 



256 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The relation which had so long and so pleasantly existed was dissolved 
April I, 1834, in the town of Huntingdon, in the same church in which 
he had assumed this relation thirty-three years before. Mr, Stuart lived 
fourteen years after retiring from his work, in the bounds of his former 
charge, until March 30, 1848, when, after a brief illness, he passed 
peacefully away, having attained the remarkable age of eighty-nine 
years. His remains lie entombed in the cemetery of the Sinking Creek 
Church. 

Mr. Stuart was a faithful pastor, a sound and instructive preacher, 
and was honored and beloved by his flock through his long pastoral 
career. There were received into the communion of the church under 
his ministry five hundred and thirty-four members. He administered 
eleven hundred and forty-five baptisms, and solemnized the nuptials of 
three hundred and sixty-four couples. 

A few months after Mr. Stuart's resignation, a call was presented, 
October 6, 1834, for the pastoral services of Rev. David McKinney. He, 
accepting the call, was installed December 20, 1834. He continued 
pastor until June g, 1 841, when he was released, against the wishes of 
his people, in order to accept a call from the church of Hollidaysburg. 
Of the results of Dr. McKinney's pastorate we have few statistics. He 
was an energetic pastor, an attractive preacher, an efficient presbyter, 
and a man greatly beloved by his flock. 

In April, 1842, ten months after Dr. McKinney's retirement, Rev. 
William Adams was called from the First Church of Chambersburg to 
become the pastor of these united churches. Accepting the calls, he 
was installed in May, 1842, and continued pastor until October, 1845, — 
three and one-half years, — when, on account of ill-health, he was com- 
pelled to resign his charge. Mr. Adams was a man of marked ability. 
His sermons were always finished productions, but his feeble health 
prevented his activity as a pastor, and his usefulness, from no fault of 
his, was not so apparent as that of his predecessors. 

After Mr. Adams resigned, Mr. Robert Hamill, a licentiate of the 
Presbytery of New York, on invitation, visited the Sinking Creek and 
Spring Creek Churches in November, 1845, and a month after was 
unanimously called to become their pastor. Accepting these calls, he 
was received by the Presbytery of Huntingdon, and was ordained and 
installed as pastor in the Spring Creek Church on the 6th of May, 1846, 
and was installed as pastor of Sinking Creek Church on the 5th of June 
following. This relation he sustained for twenty-nine years, — until April, 







SPRING CRliHK (I HAloXI ). 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 257 

1875. Then, having been called for his whole time by Spring Creek 
Church, he resigned the charge of Sinking Creek, and served Spring 
Creek for sixteen years longer, thus completing a pastorate of forty-five 
years, when, on application to Presbytery for permission to resign his 
charge, on account of impaired health, he was, at the request of the 
congregation, retired from active duty zs, pastor emeritus. 

During this pastorate Dr. Hamill delivered six thousand sermons 
and addresses, received into the church over one thousand members, 
administered six hundred and ninety-eight baptisms, ordained twenty 
elders, attended over five hundred funerals, solemnized two hundred and 
five marriages, made over nine thousand pastoral visits, and travelled 
over fifty thousand miles in the execution of his work. He baptized, 
received into the church, and married the parents and the children, and 
in some instances the children's children. Fourteen young men were 
introduced into the gospel ministry from the bounds of his charge. 
Many precious seasons of revival, with large ingatherings, were ex- 
perienced.* Four churches were organized from colonies going out 
chiefly from Spring Creek Church. The means used in the prosecution 
of his work were the direct presentation of the cardinal teachings, doc- 
trinal and practical, of gospel truth, pressed home upon the heart and 
conscience, and coupled with faithful following up by pastoral visitation 
and personal counsel from house to house. In his labors the pastor was 
sustained, strengthened, and encouraged by the cordial and faithful 
co-operation and the earnest prayers of an efficient eldership and a loyal 
people. For any precious results that have accrued from this pastorate 
of forty-five years, the pastor, with his beloved and honored flock, have 
ever desired and aimed to give to God all the glory, and to humble them- 
selves in view of their unworthiness before him. 

After Dr. Hamill's retirement from the Sinking Creek Church, that 
congregation called Mr. Thomas A. Robinson, a licentiate of Presbytery, 
who, accepting the call, was ordained, and installed by the Presbytery of 
Huntingdon October 27, 1875. He remained with the people four years, 
and left in 1879. He was followed by Mr. VV. K. Foster, a licentiate of 
the Presbytery, who was ordained and installed November 14, 1882, 
remaining two years, when he was released in order to accept a call from 
the Buffalo and Mifflinburg Churches, of Northumberland Presbytery. 



* A history of these revivals the writer intended as a part of this sketch, but, as he has 
gone already beyond the prescribed limit, this must be dispensed with. 

17 



258 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

He was succeeded by the Rev. J. Horner Kerr, who was installed May 
25, 1886, and remained three years, — until August 27, 1889. Mr. Kerr 
was succeeded by Rev. H. C. Baskerville, called to the united churches 
of Sinking Creek and Spring Mills, and was installed by a committee of 
Presbytery October 28, 1890. Mr. Baskerville remained two and a-half 
years, — until July 1 1, 1893. Since that time this charge has been served 
by temporary supplies. 

The Spring Creek Church, some months after the retirement of Dr. 
Hamill, in connection with the State College Church, which had since 
been organized, called Mr. James Heaney, a licentiate of the Presbytery 
of Philadelphia. Mr. Heaney, being received by the Presbytery of 
Huntingdon, and accepting these calls, was ordained and installed as 
pastor at State College May 5, 1892, and installed pastor at Spring 
Creek by a committee of Presbytery May 31, 1892. He remained until 
April 9, 1895, when he was released to accept a call from the Shamokin 
Church, Northumberland Presbytery. October I, 1895, a call from 
Spring Creek Church was presented to Rev. David E. Hepler and 
accepted by him, when a committee was appointed to install him October 

7, 1895- 

So far as the writer's observation and knowledge go, he feels justified 
in saying that these different pastors served these churches faithfully, 
and as the result some precious fruits were gathered ; but, owing to the 
brevity of the pastorates and the frequent changes, the churches have 
not shared that degree of prosperity that might have been enjoyed under 
other circumstances. We trust there is in reserve for them a brighter 
and a more successful future, and that they may soon under more favor- 
able auspices stand, where in other days they have stood, in the front 
rank among the churches of our grand old Presbytery. Death, emi- 
gration, and frequent changes have weakened them, but there are yet the 
elements of strength among them sufficient to make them vigorous pas- 
toral charges. May the Head of the Church, who alone can do it, in 
his own way and time, bring about such a result. 

THE ELDERSHIP. 

Of the earlier elders of the Sinking Creek and Spring Creek Churches 
we know but little, and of them find no special record. 

In Sinking Creek, during the pastorate of the Rev. David Wiley, we 
find William King and James Rankin named as elders. In Rev. William 
Stuart's time, George Woods, William Rankin, David McKim, David 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 259 

Van Dyke, Joseph Gilliland, Samuel Davis, and Henry Boozer are 
named. During Dr. McKinney's pastorate, Joshua Potter, William Mc- 
Closkey, George Livingston, James Barber, and John W. Irvin were 
ordained and installed on March 7, 1841. During Dr. Hamill's time, 
William Milligan, June 20, 1849; William Burnside, William Wilson, 
M.D., William Kerr, November 25, 1855; Samuel Van Tries, John 
Shannon, and Joseph Carson, January 19, 1866; Philip Kemp and 
William Goodhart, February 6, 1874. Subsequently, George L. Good- 
hart and George P. Rearick, June 23, 1883, and Joseph M. Gilliland and 
Joshua T. Potter, September 20, 1886. 

All of these except the last five named have been removed by death. 
Of those who remain, William Goodhart has been transferred to Spring 
Mills Church and Joseph M. Gilliland to New Bloomfield Church, leav- 
ing George L. Goodhart, George P. Rearick, and Joshua T. Potter as the 
present Session. 

In Spring Creek Church, prior to 1 807, the names of George Mc- 
Cormick, David Barr, Thomas Ferguson, William Wiley, and James 
Ardery appear. January 24, 1807, during the pastorate of the Rev. 
William Stuart, John Rankin, John Patton, and George McCormick, 
Jr., were ordained and installed. During Dr. McKinney's time, Decem- 
ber 20, 1834, George Boal, Hyland Biddle, John Wason, F. G. Betts, and 
Evan Thomas. During the pastorate of Dr. Hamill, Thomas Thomas, 
James Glenn, Benjamin J. Berry, M.D., were ordained, November 26, 
1849; Moses Thompson, William Thompson, Griffith Lytle, and Robert 
Goheen, December 2, 1855 ; John Moore and John Hamilton, February 
5, 1876; and James Y. McKee and George Butts, March 8, 1890. On 
June 5, 1892, John F. Woods, M.D., John I. Thompson, and James C. 
Gilliland were ordained and installed, and on November 17, 1895, James 
T. Stuart, William M. Goheen, William Thompson, Jr., George C. 
Williams, and Samuel Glenn. Of the above all have passed away 
by death except nine, and two of these have been transferred to the 
State College Church, leaving as the present Session of Spring Creek 
Church John I. Thompson, James C. Gilliland, James T. Stuart, William 
M. Goheen, William Thompson, Jr., George C. Williams, and Samuel 
Glenn. 

Of the foregoing roll of elders in these two churches, so far as the 
writer has known them, all have seemed to be men worthy of the office, 
while some of their number, with whom he was more intimately con- 
nected, were more demonstrative in their activities and more fully 



260 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

marked by the characteristics that belong to the scriptural type. 
Potter, Wilson, Carson, Van Tries, and Kerr, of Sinking Creek, with 
Boal, Glenn, Berry, the Thompson brothers, Goheen, Moore, and Woods, 
of Spring Creek, among the sainted ones, were no ordinary men as 
office-bearers. Their influence at all times and everywhere was for 
good, and it told upon the church as well as upon their families. Some 
of them seemed to live for the interest of the church and ever to delight 
in aiming to promote her prosperity. Her welfare was ever near their 
hearts. Their memory will ever be fragrant in the churches and the 
community of which they formed a part. 

It is a comfort to know and feel that in each of these churches the 
mantle of the departed ones has fallen upon their successors, who are 
acting well their part, and upon whose fidelity the future prosperity, not 
to say the existence, of these churches will largely depend. 

Robert Hamill. 



SINKING VALLEY. 



Sinking Valley Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest organiza- 
tions of the kind in Huntingdon Presbytery. The early records of the 
Presbyteries of Carlisle and Huntingdon do not show that the church 
was ever regularly formed by order of Presbytery. " The custom of the 
Presbyteries of Carlisle and Huntingdon, in the beginning of their work 
in this part of the State of Pennsylvania, was, in response to supplications 
for preaching, to appoint supplies for different localities, and, if good 
attendance and hopeful outlook developed, to continue these supplies, 
coupled with administration of the ordinances occasionally, until these 
gatherings developed into what they called congregations, and resolved 
themselves into churches informally." On the records of Huntingdon 
Presbytery, at its first meeting in April, 1795, Sinking Valley appears as 
a congregation, and it is safe to say that it was recognized by the Pi'esby- 
tery of Carlisle as a congregation or church before Huntingdon Presby- 
tery was organized. 

In the year 1790 the Rev. David Bard, then pastor of the Presby- 
terian Church of Bedford, was engaged as stated supply, and, while we 
have no record of preaching at this station before that time, it seems very 
probable that there had been. How long Rev. Bard supplied the Sink- 
ing Valley congregation with preaching during this period is not known. 




SINKING VALLEY (ARCH SPRING). PASTORS AND ELDERS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 26 1 

There was a break in his ministration to this people, for in 1795 he was 
not stated supply, but at the time of his death, 181 5, he again was. 

Rev. James Martin was the next to preach to the Sinking Valley 
congregation. The exact dates when he began and closed his services 
here are not known. He preached here at some time during his pastor- 
ate over the churches of Penn's Valley, Warrior's Mark, and Half Moon, 
between the years 1789 and 1795, in which year he died. 

Between the years 1795 and 1798 the church was coupled with 
Warrior's Mark Presbyterian Church, and with it depended upon 
preaching by supplies appointed by Presbytery. Rev. John Johnston 
ministered in word and doctrine to the church frequently during this 
period. In April, 1798, however, the united congregations of Spruce 
Creek and Sinking Valley called Mr. Samuel Bryson, a Hcentiate of the 
Huntingdon Presbytery. Mr. Bryson was ordained and installed pastor 
of the two congregations November 20, 1798. Rev. Bryson continued 
in this charge between six and seven years, from 1798 to 1805. From 
the year 1805, when the Rev. S. Bryson was released from the pastoral 
charge of the churches of Spruce Creek and Sinking. Valley, to the year 
1816 there is no record of a call from Sinking Valley for the services of 
a minister. For a period of thirteen years it seems to have depended on 
supplies. 

In November, 18 16, a call was made out by the united congregations 
of Sinking Valley and Spruce Creek for the services of Rev. W. A. 
Boyd, and April 2 of the following year Mr. Boyd was installed pastor 
of the first-named church. During his pastorate in the year 18 18 a new 
stone church was built and dedicated. Prior to this date religious 
services were held in what was known as the " old log meeting-house," 
which had probably stood since the year 1790 or earlier; for when, May 
9, 1817, a subscription paper was drawn up for the purpose of securing 
subscriptions for the new church, it was headed with the following 
reasons in this brief statement : " That, whereas, it is evident to all 
observers that the English Presbyterian meeting-house in Sinking Valley 
is much decayed, and too small for the congregation, we, the subscribers, 
promise to pay," etc. Mr. Boyd ministered to this people until the fall 
of 1 82 1, when, on account of ill health, he resigned and was released by 
Presbytery from the pastoral charge. 

Mr. John Mcllhenny was the next to fill the pulpit of the church for 
a regularly appointed time, being in the spring of 1822 engaged for one 
year for one-half his time, Spruce Creek receiving the other half. Mr. 



262 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Mcllhenny was a licentiate of the Presbytery of Litterkenny, Ireland, and 
during the year he labored here was a probationer in Huntingdon Pres- 
bytery. The following year he was called by the two churches above 
named, but when the calls were laid before Presbytery unfavorable 
reports concerning him were brought to the notice of Presbytery. Sev- 
eral meetings of Presbytery were held for the trial of this case, and Mr. 
Mcllhenny was proven guilty of grossly immoral conduct, even during 
the time of his labors within the bounds of Presbytery. His Hcense to 
preach was revoked. 

Spruce Creek did not unite with Sinking Valley in April, 1823, in 
the call of the next preacher, Mr. Samuel Swan, a licentiate of the Pres- 
bytery of Philadelphia, and so Mr. Swan, having continued with Sinking 
Valley as its pastor-elect for one year, declined the call before Presbytery, 
on the ground of insufficient support. 

Rev. Samuel Hill was stated supply of the congregations of Spruce 
Creek and Sinking Valley 1825, and onwards until April, 1826, when he 
was called to these two churches, each to receive one-half of his time. 
He was not installed pastor until October of the following year. He 
ministered to this people for nearly ten years, until June 16, 1835, with 
lengthy sermons, with strong doctrine, and, at the same time, with 
a practical enforcement of the truth which was of the strictest. During 
this period Rous's version of the Psalms was rigidly adhered to ; the 
communion was served at tables ; and the Saturday preceding the cele- 
bration of the Lord's Supper each communicant was provided with 
a token, which it was necessary for him to present the following day, in 
order to insure him the privilege to commune. While Mr. Hill was 
pastor of the church her total membership reached one hundred and 
forty. For three years after his release the congregation was without a 
regular pastor, and seems in that time to have retrograded considerably. 
Her eldership dwindled down to one, and the records state that only 
thirty-eight persons communed at the March communion, 1838. 

In May, 1838, Rev. John McKinney was installed pastor of Sinking 
Valley Church for one-fourth of his time, Alexandria engaging his 
services for the other three-fourths. Mr. McKinney was released from 
the pastoral charge of Sinking Valley in the year 1845, though he 
continued his pastoral relations with Alexandria until 1848. 

In 1845, we find Sinking Valley uniting with Williamsburg in- the 
call of Rev. W. J. Gibson, D.D., who was to give to each one-half of his 
time. From the beginning of this pastorate to the present time God's 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 263 

grace in adding to the church such as shall be saved has been wonder- 
fully manifest. Dr. Gibson continued pastor of the church until 1852, 
when he was released by Presbytery, and accepted a call to Lick Run. 

From June, 1853, to April, 1857, Rev. D. L. Hughes as pastor gave 
Sinking Valley one-half of his time and to Spruce Creek the other half. 
Fifty-four persons were added to the church as a result of Mr. Hughes's 
brief labors here. During his ministry in 1854 Tyrone became one of 
the preaching points in connection with Sinking Valley, and its Session 
held some of its meetings in the union church of Tyrone, and admitted 
members to the church. 

December 15, 1857, the Rev. John Elliott was installed pastor for 
one-half of his time, Sinking Valley having united again with Spruce 
Creek in this call. This pastorate ended in 1861, and the Rev. Orr 
Lawson was called and installed pastor for one-half of his time. Bell's 
Mills taking the other half. 

Sinking Valley soon called Mr. Lawson for all his time, and for 
several years thereafter remained an independent charge. Before the 
close of his pastorate in 1869 an excellent parsonage was built and paid 
for, at a cost of six thousand dollars. 

In 1870 the Rev. J. J. Coale was installed pastor of the church, which 
continued to contribute singly to his support until, in 187 1, a church was 
organized in the village of Spruce Creek, and named the Lower Spruce 
Creek Presbyterian Church. This church, an offshoot from Sinking 
Valley, took from the mother church fifty or more of its members and a 
number of its supporters, and ever since its organization until the present 
time has contributed one-half of the pastor's salary. 

In the year 1885 the stone church of Sinking Valley was torn down, 
and a new one, of stone and brick, was erected upon the same site, cost- 
ing when furnished about nine thousand dollars. A memorial sermon 
was prepared and preached by the pastor, Rev. Coale, shortly before 
the old stone church was removed, of which sermon this history is prac- 
tically a condensation. Mr. Coale was released from the pastoral charge 
of Sinking Valley and Lower Spruce Creek in the spring of 1892, and 
May 20 of the following year Rev. S. W. Young was installed pastor of 
Sinking Valley for one-half of his time, Lower Spruce Creek taking the 
other half During the two years of this pastorate, which still continues, 
there have been forty-two persons added to the church, thirty-three of 
this number having been admitted on profession of their faith. The 
present membership of the church numbers one hundred and sixty. 



264 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The following is a list of ruling elders of the church as far as imper- 
fect and lost records make it possible to prepare it : Messrs. Thomas 
Wilson, Colonel Moore, Angus Sinclair, Squire Kile, James Wilson, 
John Clark, John Owens, James Mitchell, John M. Tussey, Armstrong 
Crawford, Alexander Dysartt, Perry Moore, Jesse Fisher, Alexander 
Templeton, John A. Crawford, J. A. Louder, and Joseph H. Morrow. 
The four last named are at present in active service. 

The hi.story of the churches shows that Sinking Valley Presbyterian 
Church has been the mother, as it were, of four churches of this denomi- 
nation, — Logan's Valley, Birmingham, Tyrone, and Lower Spruce Creek. 

S. W. Young. 



SPRING MILLS. 



This was organized in 1841 as a New School Church, and was served 
in connection with Hublersburg, also New School, until the reunion in 
1870. Since 1870 it has been served in connection with Sinking Creek 
Church. 

Its pastors and supplies since the reunion were Thomas A. Robinson, 
William K. Fostor, H. C. Baskerville, J. W. Boal, etc. The names of the 
earlier pastors or supplies I have not at hand. 

It was for a long time a fairly strong church. Peter Wilson was a 
leading elder for many years. His son, James D. Wilson, D.D., deceased, 
lately of the Central Church, New York, was from this church. 

Its elders now are William Goodheart, William Rearick, C. P. Long, 
and Thomas Yearick. Its membership is twenty-four. 

R. F. Wilson. 



SPRUCE CREEK. 



When the Spruce Creek Church was organized is not known. Pres- 
byterian families settled in this valley as early as 1788. This church is 
mentioned on the Minutes of Huntingdon Presbytery at its first meeting 
in 1795, and occasional supplies were appointed for it, till the year 1798, 
when, at the meeting of Presbytery held in the house of Robert McCart- 
ney, Rev. Samuel Bryson was ordained and installed as pastor of th'is 
and Sinking Valley Churches. Previous to his settlement the people 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 265 

of this congregation probably attended services at the Warrior Mark's 
Church in Dry Hollow, where the Rev. James Martin preached statedly. 
Mr. Bryson was promised one hundred and forty-four pounds by the two 
congregations, so that there must have been quite a number of families 
by that time in the two churches. He served this church till 1803. 

With the exception of some supplies, the church was vacant from 
1803 to 1817, when the Rev. W. A. Boyd was called. He resigned in 
1823, owing to ill health. He was an able preacher, and won the affec- 
tions of his people; but his earthly service was short; he died the 13th 
of June, 1823. Mr. J. McElhenny was stated supply for six months. 

From 1825 to 1843 Rev. Samuel Hill was pastor. He was an ex- 
ceedingly able preacher and a strong Calvinist, and through him the 
church attained that high regard for sound doctrine and steadfast ortho- 
doxy which has distinguished them ever since. It was his custom to 
preach two sermons on the Sabbath, the people bringing their lunch to 
church with them ; after the morning sermon recess was given for lunch, 
and then the afternoon sermon was begun, which often lasted till dark. 
The people walked five or six miles, the aged rode on horseback. From 
old " church duplicates" we learn that in 1833 there were about fifty-five 
families in the congregation, that they paid Mr. Hill three hundred 
dollars for half of his time, and that the pews were rented. In 1830 the 
log church, which had been used up to that time, was superseded by a 
frame building.* Mr. Hill's ministry was a long and faithful one, and 
the church prospered under his care. He laid great stress upon sound 
doctrine and upon the inculcation of the Westminster system of truth 
into the minds of young and old. 

From 1845 to 1865 was the stormiest period of this church's history. 
The psalmody was the bone of contention, and the question, once 
raised, would not down. Previous to this time the metrical version of 
the Psalms made by Francis Rous, a member of the House of Commons, 
which was published in 1646, was used exclusively by this church. The 
General Assembly having published about that time their book of 
Psalms and Hymns, many in the congregation began to favor its intro- 
duction. While Rev. J. White was pastor (1845- 1847) the controversy 
on this subject broke out with great bitterness, and he, wearied with 
strife, resigned before it was settled. All but two of the Session of eight 



* I am greatly indebted to the Rev. J. C. Kelley for many of the facts of the early history 
of this church. 



266 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

elders were in favor of the use of Rous's version ; but a petition signed 
by fifty-eight members of the church being sent up to the Session Feb- 
ruary 22, 1847, they called a congregational meeting to decide whether 
Rous's version or the General Assembly's late collection of Psalms and 
Hymns should be the established psalmody of this church in future. At 
this congregational meeting, held March i, 1847, the vote was forty- 
seven to thirty-seven in favor of the General Assembly's book. The 
Session at a meeting held April 1 1 instructed their commissioner to 
Presbytery to request that body to send a commission to inquire into 
and try to adjust the difficulties that had arisen in this congregation. 
May 29 the Session passed the following resolutions : 

" Resolved, first. That the friends of Rous's version have the organization of the Spruce 
Creek Church; second, That the friends of Rous's version of David's Psalms have a right to 
have that version sung in the Spruce Creek Church by at least half the supplies granted them 
by the Presbytery at their last meeting." 

Against the above action of the majority of the Session Adam 
Rankin, the minority member, and one of the ablest elders then in the 
Presbyterian Church, complained to Presbytery, and the complaint was 
sustained, and Presbytery deemed it expedient to divide the congrega- 
tion, and did so divide it at the October meeting, and declared the 
majority in the late vote on the psalmody to be the original or First 
Church of Spruce Creek, and the minority (or old psalmody party) to be 
called the Second Church of Spruce Creek. Six of the original elders 
withdrew to the Second Church, and of this Second Church Rev. Israel 
Ward was pastor from 1848 to 1853, and the Rev. Thomas Stevenson 
from 1854 to 1859. W^ ^I's sorry the records of this church have not 
come down to us. 

The Session of the First Church being almost broken up by the 
withdrawal of the six who favored Rous's version. Presbytery ordered 
the election of additional elders, which was done at a congregational 
meeting held October, 1847. 

Of this First Church Rev. D. L. Hughes was the energetic pastor 
from 1848 to 1857. Although the church had been much weakened by 
the dissension, yet by his faithful labors it was greatly prospered in tem- 
poral and spiritual things. During his pastorate the present massive 
stone structure and the manse were built.* 

*In the year 1856 this church contributed six hundred and twenty-five dollars to church 
extension in Tyrone City. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 267 

On his resignation, Mr. John Elliott was called to the pastorate, with 
a view to effecting a union of the two churches. February 22, 1859, the 
congregation of the First Church passed unanimously a resolution 
cordially inviting the Second Church to unite with them in all their 
church privileges, and to unite with them in prayer to God for his spirit, 
that all might be " revived and united together as one man for the pro- 
motion of God's glory." It was thought by some that the use of the 
General Assembly's book containing fifty selections from Rous's version 
at the back would further union and harmony. Some time afterwards 
Mr. EUiott, no doubt from a sincere desire to promote a full and cordial 
union, and from a generous desire to make the friends of Rous's 
psalmody, many of whom were on that occasion present for the first time 
in the First Church since the division, feel more comfortable, announced 
that he would hereafter use one of the selections occasionally and 
requesting the people to provide themselves with books containing them. 
This created a tremendous excitement : there were no stools hurled at 
his head, as in the memorable case of Jennie Geddes in the Grayfriar's 
church, but hymn-books were shut with a slam and thrown down with a 
spirit of strong disapproval. The Session sustained the action of the 
pastor, but afterwards some of them blamed him. He seems to have 
been moved therein by a very worthy motive, but it would have been 
safer to have had the action of the Session beforehand. And we fear 
that the congregation forgot their " cordial and unanimous " resolution 
of February 22, as well as the becoming propriety of God's house. 

The Second Church disbanded and came into the First, forty in 
number, by certificate, at the next communion. May, 1859. ^^- Elliott 
resigned in 1861. 

Rev. William Alexander, then a licentiate, was stated supply for six 
months during 1861. He is well known in the church as professor in 
the Theological Seminary at San Francisco. 

From 1862 to 1865 Rev. C. A. Hills was pastor. At that time there 
were one hundred and sixty communicants, the salary paid was one 
thousand dollars, and the church gave to the Board of Foreign Missions 
in the year 1862 twelve hundred and forty-four dollars, largely the con- 
tribution of David Stewart, Esq., whose family inherited his love for the 
mission work of the church. Mr. Hills was diligent and faithful, and, 
although the contention over the psalmody remained as a thorn in his 
flesh, being the chief cause of his removal, yet the church prospered 
greatly under his care. 



268 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Before he was called the Session had decided to leave the use of the 
selections from Rous's version to the discretion of the pastor, and he used 
them part of the time. A petition numerously signed having been sent 
up to the Session, requesting a congregational meeting to vote whether the 
selections from Rous's version should or should not be used in the future, 
a meeting was held November 20, 1865, at which the selections were 
discontinued by a vote of seventy-five to twenty-four. This was after 
Mr. Hills resigned, but before his departure. 

A complaint against the above action of the Session and congregation 
was taken to Presbytery by three leaders of the Second Church, or 
psalmody party, who were now members of the reunited church. Pres- 
bytery refused to sustain the complaint, and sent down to the church the 
following action : 

" Resolved, That, in refusing to sustain the complaint, Presbytery fully sustains the action 
of Session and congregation . . . complained of, and judge that hereafter it shall be under- 
stood that the pastor of Spruce Creek Church shall have the same liberty enjoyed by the min- 
ister of any other church in the matter of psalmody; for the following reasons: I, because 
there does not appear to have been any ground for complaint ; 2, concession has failed to give 
peace; 3, has fostered strife; 4, has embarrassed the labors of each successive pastor of the 
Spruce Creek Church, and hindered the cause of Christ." 

Thus the question which had been the bone of contention and had 
disturbed the peace and hindered the usefulness of this church for over a 
quarter of a century was finally settled by Presbytery, April, 1866. 

From 1866 to 1869 Rev. S. S. Orris was pastor. He was a man of 
scholarly attainments, deep piety, and fervent zeal, and was untiring in 
his efforts to further the spiritual welfare of the people. He kept no 
horse, but made his pastoral visits on foot, a feat little less than marvel- 
lous when one remembers that this is a congregation of " magnificent 
distances." One day, during a heavy snow-storm, a family five miles 
distant from the manse were surprised, on answering their door-bell, to 
find the pastor, and doubly surprised when they learned that he had come 
through the deep snow on foot to ask the daughter, who was to be married 
the next day, whether he might conclude the ceremony by kissing her. 
Another incident still more characteristic of him : a family were absent 
from church on Sabbath because of the bad weather; on Monday he 
walked four miles through the same storm to inquire the reason of their 
absence, and was chagrined when the head of the house replied that the 
weather was too bad ! Large accessions were made to the church during 
his pastorate. There were one hundred and forty-nine members when 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 269 

he came, and two hundred and two when he left. Mr. Orris has been 
the honored professor of Greek for many years in the College of New 
Jersey. 

December 20, 1869, a call was made out for Rev. J. C. Kelley, who 
began his long and useful pastorate January i, was installed June 15, 
1870, and resigned December, 1890. This was the longest pastorate the 
church ever had. This church was now harmonious after long and 
bitter strife, and had become one of the most influential in this part of 
the State, both as to the intelligence and wealth of its people. The 
Session was very able. In the year 1873 this church gave to Foreign 
Missions fourteen hundred and twenty -nine dollars, and liberally to the 
other boards. Mr. Kelley's ministry was signally blessed, and we are 
still reaping the fruits of his faithful sowing. 

November 21, 1891, a call was issued for Rev. T. S. Armentrout, of 
New Castle Presbytery, who began preaching January i, 1892, and was 
installed the following June. 

This church has given three of her noble sons to the ministry of the 
gospel, — Rev. J. M. Goheen, missionary to India; Rev. J. C. Oliver, of 
Blairsville Presbytery ; and Mr. J. O. C. McCracken, a member of the 
middle class in Alleghany Seminary. There have been many able and 
devoted elders in her Session during the century of her history. The 
Women's Auxiliary Mission Society deserves special commendation. It 
is now twenty-three years old, and has done much for Christ. In the 
century past divine grace has here had a fruitful field, in which many 
saintly characters have ripened for heaven ; here many souls have been 
made white in the blood of the Lamb ; many will be able to say in that 
great day, blessed is this Spruce Creek Church, for here I was born into 
the kingdom of God. May the breezes of the new century shake out the 
creases of the old blue banner lifted up here in the name of our God by 
our ancestors, and long and free may she wave over this valley ; in this 
church may the true doctrine of the gospel ever be expounded to teach 
our children how to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. 

T. S. Armentrout. 



270 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

STATE COLLEGE. 

During the years 1885 and 1886, there being at that time neither 
church nor Sabbath-school in the village of State College, Centre 
County, Pennsylvania, earnest efforts were made to secure some room in 
which to hold a Sabbath-school for children who did not attend such 
services elsewhere. These efforts having failed, a subscription paper 
was drawn up and circulated, October 21, 1886, for the erection of 
a building for Sabbath-school and other religious uses, the title to the 
property to be vested in three trustees, members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Among those who contributed liberally and afterwards labored 
earnestly for the advancement of Christian work were some who were 
not members of the Presbyterian body. About sixteen hundred dollars 
having been promised, in addition to building-lots valued at five hundred 
and fifty dollars, the building committee, consisting of John Hamilton, 
John W. Stuart, and James Y. McKee, who were also the trustees, 
adopted building plans for the present house of worship, and announced 
to a meeting of the stockholders in February, 1888, that the building 
was completed, at a cost of about four thousand dollars when furnished, 
and would be ready for use during the following month. On a Sabbath 
in March of that year the house was dedicated. Rev. Joshua D. Russell, 
of Altoona, preaching the sermon, and Rev. Robert Hamill, D.D., and 
Rev. George Elliott taking part in other services. 

From that time forward the house thus dedicated was occupied every 
Sabbath by a Sabbath-school service in the morning, and also, when 
there was not a preaching service in the evening, by an evening prayer- 
meeting. In May, 1888, the Spring Creek congregation, within whose 
bounds this movement was, voted to give to the part of the congregation 
at State College one-half of the preaching service of the pastor, Rev. 
Robert Hamill, D.D. The Presbyterians worshipping at State College 
at this time became in many respects a separate organization, raising 
through their own officers money for congregational and Sabbath-school 
use, and having weekly preaching, with occasional ministration of the 
sacraments in their place of worship. On the first Sabbath of August, 
1889, there was established in connection with this organization a Young 
People's Society of Christian Endeavor, — the first in Centre County, — 
which held weekly meetings thenceforward, and which, as well as the 
Sabbath-school, proved a valuable helper. 

In February, 1 890, the Session of the Spring Creek congregation 




v^ Kim n: 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 2/ 1 

showed its regard for the needs of this section by calling a meeting of the 
congregation at State College to elect two additional elders resident in that 
vicinity. James Y. McKee and George C. Butz were chosen at this meet- 
ing and later were ordained and installed by Rev. Dr. Hamill, the pastor. 

A petition to the Presbytery of Huntingdon for an organization as a 
congregation was prepared and signed by sixty-two persons, members or 
supporters, and received the assent of Spring Creek congregation at 
a meeting held October 6, 1890. This petition was presented to Presby- 
tery at its meeting in Tyrone, October 8, 1890, by a commissioner duly 
appointed, and was referred to a commission, with power to act. Timely 
notice having been given, the commission, consisting of Rev. Dr. Hamill, 
Rev. Dr. Laurie, and James Harris, elder, of Bellefonte, convened at the 
call of the chairman at State College, December i, 1890, and organized 
the State College Presbyterian Church, receiving by certificates fifty- 
eight persons previously members of Spring Creek congregation. These 
members elected as their ruling elders John Hamilton, James Y. McKee, 
and George C. Butz, who, having previously been elders in the Spring 
Creek congregation, were at once installed. The work of the commission 
being completed, a congregational meeting was held, and John Hamilton, 
John W. Stuart, and James H. Holmes were chosen trustees to manage 
the secular concerns of the church. 

Dr. Hamill, who was pastor of the Spring Creek congregation for an 
uninterrupted period of forty-five years, tendered his resignation, owing 
to his failing health, and declared the pulpits of the now two congrega- 
tions vacant on November 9, 1890. From this time until February, 
1892, preaching was conducted at short intervals by supplies appointed 
by a committee of Presbytery. On December 24, 1891, the congrega- 
tion suffered the loss of a wise counsellor and a faithful member in the 
death of one of its elders, James Y. McKee. He was a devout Christian 
and an active Presbyterian. 

At a congregational meeting held January 19, 1892, for the purpose 
of choosing a pastor, a unanimous call was extended to Rev. James 
Heaney, who was simultaneously chosen by the Spring Creek congrega- 
tion to be their pastor also. The call was accepted, and regular preach- 
ing services, once each Sabbath, were again established. Rev. James 
Heaney continued to minister to this people until May I, 1895. During 
this time the membership of the church steadily increased, and the last 
of the indebtedness incurred in building and furnishing the house of 
worship was removed. 



2/2 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

An active Ladies' Missionary Society is one of the working forces of 
the church, doing good service at home and abroad. The Christian 
Endeavor Society has trained many timid members, who have developed 
into active Christians, doing very efficient service, and has been a home 
for many students of the State College who were members of Christian 
Endeavor Societies in various parts of the State of Pennsylvania. 

George C. Butz. 



TYRONE. 



The first Presbyterian services were held by Rev. Daniel L. Hughes, 
pastor of Spruce Creek First and Sinking Valley Churches, at long but 
stated intervals, in the school building on Spring Street, later known as 
the Caldwell building. Then came the petition asking Presbytery to 
organize a Presbyterian Church here. The request was granted, — with 
grave fears, however, of its advisability, — and Revs. John Elliott, O. O. 
McClean, and A. B. Clarke, with Elders Jonathan Hamilton and David 
G. Hunter, were appointed a committee to organize a church, if the way 
be clear. This was at the meeting of Presbytery in Sinking Valley, 
October 7, 1856. 

April 7, 1857, Revs. O. O. McClean and John Elliott, members of 
that committee, met at Tyrone, Pennsylvania, and held divine service. 
Rev. O. O. McClean preached from i Cor. ii. 2 : " For I determined not 
to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified." 
Adam Leffard, Mary Leffard, Joseph Hagerty, John H. Patterson, Selina 
G. Thomas, Elizabeth Jones, Sarah Gingerich, Keziah Donnelly, Sarah 
Crowther, Emily Crowther, and Margaret Peightel were among the first 
members. Adam Leffard and Joseph Hagerty were chosen, ordained, 
and installed as elders of this church. 

This service was held in the United Brethren church in this place, 
and all other services as well, till the lecture-room of our church, then in 
course of erection, was ready for use, Rev. John Elliott, Presbyterial 
missionary, preaching and superintending the new church building, with 
Samuel McCamant, John H. Patterson, J. D. Bell, and Joseph Hagerty 
as a building committee. The church was built at a cost of three 
thousand five hundred dollars. The little band having done their utmost 
in paying for this building, the Presbytery authorized Mr. Elliott to raise 
such amounts from the churches as would enable the Presbytery to 




TYRONE PASTORS. 

REV. J. H. BARNARD, D.D. 
REV. WILLIAM A. HOOPER. REV. JOHN H. CLARKE. 

REV. SAMUEL M. MOORE, D.D. 
REV. JOHN R. DAVIES, D.D. REV. HARVEY GR/EME PURBAY, PH.D. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 273 

recommend the church to the Board of Church Extension for an amount 
which would pay off the entire debt. This was done. The lot having 
been donated for the use of the Presbyterian Church, and the building 
being finished, Presbytery appointed John Scott, Esq., of Huntingdon, to 
draw up papers which would give the property into the hands of J. M. 
Harper, Adam Leffard, John Owens, L. G. Grier, and W. H. Robertson, 
as trustees to hold it for the Presbytery, so that, in the event of failure 
to build up a congregation, Presbytery might hold the property, for the 
purposes named, till such time as a Presbyterian congregation could be 
built up in Tyrone. 

In the fall of 1857 Mr. Elliott accepted calls from the churches of 
Spruce Creek and Sinking Valley, declining the calls to Birmingham and 
Tyrone, very much to their discouragement. 

May 6, 1858, Rev. A. P. Happer, M.D., a missionary from China, 
took charge of the churches of Tyrone and Birmingham as a stated 
supply for one year, while he sought recuperation and rest in this 
country. It was a year of great blessing. An election for one elder and 
three deacons was held August 14, 1858, resulting in the choice of Dr. 
William Campbell as elder, and A. A. Campbell, Samuel McCamant, and 
J. H. Patterson as deacons. 

Rev. G. W. Thompson, of Tuscarora Valley, held a series of meetings 
here in the fall of 1858. He was an able and faithful preacher of the 
word. Only a small result was apparent at the time, but the savor of it 
remains, and these meetings are often referred to as seasons of much 
good to the membership of the church. 

February 28, 1859, H. A. Campbell was elected, ordained, and 
installed an elder in this church. Rev. David Sterrett, of Carlisle, a 
member of this Presbytery, supplied Birmingham and Tyrone from May, 
1859, to May, i860. 

The churches of Birmingham, Tyrone, and Logan's Valley called 
J. H. Barnard, a licentiate of the Presbytery, which call being accepted, 
Presbytery ordained and installed him as pastor June 12, i860. This 
pastorate lasted till the following December, when Mr. Barnard accepted 
a call to become co-pastor with the venerable Dr. James Linn, of Belle- 
fonte, Pennsylvania. 

Within a few months Mr. W. A. Hooper, a licentiate of Miami Pres- 
bytery, was called ; the call having been accepted, he was ordained and 
installed as pastor November 27, 1861. June 21, 1862, Mr. John H. 
Patterson was elected, ordained, and installed an elder in this church. 



274 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Mrs. Samuel Jones acted for a time as sexton, making fires, ringing 
the bell, etc. Mr. Nivling and she vied with each other in this good 
work. Then the members of Session took the work among themselves. 
From that time various sextons took charge; then the deacons took per- 
sonal charge ; then again we had regular sextons. 

Rev. John H. Clarke, of the Presbytery of Carlisle, served the united 
churches of Birmingham and Tyrone, as stated supply, from October, 
1864. His impaired health and his other engagements forbade his 
accepting calls to these churches at this time. 

In September, 1865, Mr. Adam Leffard, an elder in this church, was 
dismissed to McVeytown. September 23, 1865, W. H. Robertson was 
elected an elder, and inducted into office in the usual form. S. W. Barr 
was chosen clerk of the Session. 

The church was dedicated to the service of Almighty God, about this 
time, by Rev. Robert Hamill, D.D. 

A call for the pastoral labors of Rev. J. H. Clarke was received from 
the church of Birmingham (Rev. Orr Lawson, moderator), and by per- 
mission of the Presbytery (which met at Bell's Mills) he held this call 
under advisement till the next meeting of Presbytery. In the spring of 
1867 Mr. Clarke also received a call from the church of Tyrone, which 
he accepted. The call was moderated by Rev. William Prideaux. Mr. 
Clarke was duly installed as pastor, Rev. R. M. Wallace presiding and 
proposing the constitutional questions, Rev. Orr Lawson preaching the 
sermon, Rev. S. S. Orris delivering the charge to the pastor, and Rev. 
D. H. Barron the charge to the people. Then for the first time Tyrone 
stood alone as a pastoral charge. 

When the church was built it was called " John Elliott's folly," and 
when Brother Clarke was called here he was asked by some if he " ex- 
pected the ravens to feed him." There still lingered the feeling that the 
church would fail. If it was not killed, it was not for want of discour- 
agements : the race of Sanballats and Tobiahs evidently was not extinct. 

The congregation did nobly. Mr. Clarke was a man of great culture, 
and brought to his work a wise head and a consecrated heart. He was a 
wise leader, had quick perception of what was fitting, and unerringly did 
it. During his labors here as stated supply and pastor twenty-seven 
were added on examination and forty-four by certificate. There were five 
adult baptisms and twenty-eight infant baptisms. 

In the Birmingham field he had much more abundant results to 'his 
ministry. In the midst of much discomfort and discouragement he 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 275 

labored ; the church grew much and was strengthened. A fine preacher, 
with a character not gilded but golden, the Lord blessed him in his work. 
His health failed him, and he went to the Northwest to visit his brother, 
hoping to be benefited by the climate. During his absence Presbytery 
supplied the pulpit three Sabbaths out of four, Rev. Samuel Lawrence 
supplying it the remainder of the time. Mr. Clarke handed in his resig- 
nation to Session, asking the congregation to join with him in seeking a 
dissolution of the pastoral relation. With extreme reluctance this was 
done, and the relation was dissolved in the spring of 1870. 

The above is very largely a transcription of the historical sermon that 
was preached by Dr. Moore November 6, 1881. 

Rev. S. M. Moore, D.D., received a call from this church in October, 
1870, accepted it, and was installed on the 6th of December. He came 
to Tj^rone from Alexandria. The Alexandria Church consisted of two 
hundred and fifty members, the Tyrone Church of seventy-eight, and 
there was a corresponding sacrifice in a financial point of view. Dr. 
Moore occupied this pulpit and continued to minister unto this church 
until the first day of May, 1887, when, owing to ill health, he was 
obliged to leave the pulpit, and on that day preached his final sermon. 
From the time of his resignation until the day of his death, October 14, 
1895, he was an invalid. 

Dr. Moore was the son of the Rev. Joshua Moore, who died while 
he was pastor of the East Kishacoquillas Presbyterian Church, in April, 
1854, at the age of fifty-five years. Dr. Moore was born the 15th of 
September, 1837. He was prepared for college at the Tuscarora Acad- 
emy, and was graduated by Lafayette College. His theological studies 
were pursued at Princeton Seminary. He was married to Miss Sarah P. 
Johnson, of Lewistown, November 27, 1859. He was buried October 
17, 1895, at Tyrone. During his pastorate of sixteen years there were 
received into this church on profession of faith three hundred and thirty- 
seven, on certificate two hundred and twenty, making a total of five 
hundred and fifty-seven, increasing the membership from seventy-eight 
to three hundred and twenty-three. Under his ministry the church had 
a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and large accessions were had 
in the years of 1871, 1872, 1874, and 1881. 

Rev. John R. Davies, D.D., was installed pastor of this church in 
November, 1887, and continued to be its pastor until February, 1893. 
Dr. Davies is a graduate of Lafayette College and of Princeton Seminary. 
During his pastorate one hundred and ninety-two persons were added 



2/6 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

to the church on examination, and one hundred and forty-six on certifi- 
cate, making a total of three hundred and thirty-eight. This increased 
the membership of the church from three hundred and twenty-three to 
five hundred and three. 

Rev. Harvey Graeme Furbay, Ph.D., was installed pastor here April 
27, 1893. During his administration there have been received to date 
into the fellowship of this church by examination ninety-three, by certifi- 
cate eighty-six, making a total of one hundred and seventy-nine, increas- 
ing the membership from five hundred and three to six hundred and 
forty-five. Mr. Furbay was born at Harrisville, Ohio, April 27, 1866. 
He graduated from Franklin College in 1888, from the Western Theo- 
logical Seminary in 1891 ; was licensed by the Presbytery of St. Clairs- 
ville, and ordained by the Presbytery of Clarion, April 28, 1891.* 

This congregation continued to worship in the building already 
referred to until the new one was erected and dedicated in 1882. The 
building committee consisted of S. S. Blair, chairman; C. J. Kegel, secre- 
tary ; Colonel S. McCamant, Theodore Shirk, John F. Wilson, General 
R. A. McCoy, R. G. McLanathan, James A. Crawford, A. J. Whitney, 
and J. F. Rung. 

The church building was of machine-made brick, and was sixty by 
eighty-five feet. The main audience-room was fifty-four by fifty-four, the 
lecture-room twenty-four by thirty-two, the study eighteen by twenty- 
four, and the parlor eighteen by twenty-four. It would seat comfortably 
eight hundred and twenty-five people. It cost eighteen thousand dollars. 
It was dedicated Sunday, March 18, 1882. The dedication sermon was 
preached by the Rev. W. C. Cattail, D.D., LL.D., president of Lafayette 
College. His text was, " And it came to pass, from the time that he had 
made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord 
blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake ; and the blessing of the 
Lord was upon all that he had in the house and in the field" (Genesis 
xxxix. 5). The dedication prayer was made by Dr. Moore. In order to 
dedicate the house free of debt, nine thousand three hundred and thirty- 
three dollars were raised on the day of dedication. 

This building was enlarged in the year 1891. The committee that 
had it in charge was S. S. Blair, chairman; A. G. Morris, Colonel S. Mc- 

* Dr. Furbay was married, June 5, 1890, to Miss Blanche Campbell, daughter of Rev. R. 
G. Campbell, D.D., Professor of Greek in Franklin College. Mrs. Furbay died April 4, 18:96. 
Dr. Furbay received a call to the Oxford Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, April 15, 1896, 
which he accepted. 




TYRONE. ELDERS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 277 

Camant, General R. A. McCoy, R. G. McLanahari, John A. Nivling, J. 
L. Porter, C. O. Templeton, and R. S. Seeds. The addition extended the 
church in length to one hundred and twenty feet, enlarging the Sunday- 
school room, and making an infant-room above, class-rooms, etc. This 
cost thirteen thousand dollars. 

The reopening and rededication occurred October 25, 1891. Rev. R. 
F. Sample, D.D., pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in New 
York City, preached the sermon. His text was Acts v. 8. 

The real estate on which this building stands, together with the 
manse, is worth about eleven thousand dollars. Isaac Pursell was the 
architect of the original church and of the addition. 

In 1894 a new manse was erected, the old one being one of the oldest 
houses in town. The committee having this in charge was Theodore 
Shirk, chairman ; Dr. W. L. Lowrie, Joseph K. Cass, A. G. Morris, John 
F. Wilson, J. W. Moore, and A. M. LaPorte. The manse is a brick 
building with all modern improvements and conveniences, and cost 
about five thousand two hundred dollars. The total cost of the property 
as it now stands is about forty-eight thousand dollars. 

Since 1 87 1 this congregation has contributed for church support 
over one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars. 

The following is a list of the elders, deacons, and trustrees who have 
served this church : 

ELDERS. 

The elders, together with the date of ordination, installation, dis- 
missal, or death, are as follows : 

Adam Leffard was ordained April 7, 1857, and served until Novem- 
ber 4, 1865. Joseph Hagerty, ordained and installed at the same time, 
was active in this capacity until his death, which was in a railroad acci- 
dent, April or May, 1868. 

William Campbell, M.D., was inducted into this office, by ordination, 
August 29, 1858, but was soon after dismissed to Moshannon. 

The next was Hugh A. Campbell, who served from February 28, 
1859, until he was dismissed to Spring Creek. 

There is no record of John H. Patterson's ordination, but it evidently 
occurred at a later date than the above. He served until his death in 
March, 1864. 

William H. Robertson had been an elder previous to his coming to 
this place, and was installed September, 1865, holding the office until 
June 23, 1867. 



2/8 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Samuel W. Barr, the present clerk, was ordained and installed Sep- 
tember 29, 1867 ; and at the same time, John M. Harper, who died July 
19, 1887, and William H. H. Nivling, who was dismissed to Bellefonte 
October 13, 1887. 

As the present Session is constituted, Colonel Samuel McCamant is 
next in order as to length of service, having been ordained February, 
1 87 1. At the same time John Gemmill was inducted into this office, 
and served until his death in July, 1876. 

C. J. Kegel was ordained December 9, 1877, and dismissed to a 
Philadelphia church, April 25, 1890. James A. Crawford at the same 
time was ordained, and served until his dismissal to the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church at Coalport, January 20, 1885. 

Rowan Clarke, M.D., was installed, having served in this capacity in 
the Logan's Valley Church. Dr. Clarke died in April, 1896. 

Samuel S. Blair and John F. Wilson were ordained November 11, 
1883, and continue to serve this church at the present time. 

Chambers O. Templeton, Esq., and J. Calvin Goheen, a brother of 
J. Milligan Goheen, a missionary in India at Kolapur, being at the 
present time members of the Session, were ordained and installed March 
22, 1 89 1. At the same time William C. Laird was installed, and served 
until he was dismissed to Port Royal, July 5, 1895. 

On December 8, 1895, J. Walter Moore, son of the former pastor, the 
late Rev. Samuel M. Moore, D.D., was ordained and installed as an elder. 

This constitutes the list of elders who have served in this congrega- 
tion from its organization. 

DEACONS. 

The first deacons ordained were Hugh A. Campbell, Colonel Samuel 
McCamant, John H. Patterson, August 29, 1858. Mr. Campbell was 
dismissed to Spring Creek Church, and Mr. McCamant ceased to act as 
a deacon when he was elected sheriff of Blair County, and dismissed to 
Hollidaysburg, December, 1861. Mr. Patterson continued in office until 
his death in March, 1864. 

The next ordination was in February, 1871, when Jacob J. Russell, 
Joseph Battin, C. J. Kegel, and Samuel H. Cree were inducted into office. 
Mr. Russell was dismissed to Derry, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1880. Joseph 
Battin died April 26, 1887. Mr. Kegel, as above noted, was ordained an 
elder December 9, 1877. Samuel H. Cree, while holding his member- 
ship in this church, has ceased to act in this capacity, having removed 
to Roaring Springs, Pennsylvania, where he now resides. 




TYRONE. THE MANSE. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 279 

Michael Hamer, who is at present a deacon, and James A. Crawford, 
who was ordained an elder December 9, 1887, were ordained to this 
office October 3, 1875. 

Robert M. Bailey, at the present time president of the Central Penn- 
sylvania Telephone Company, and John F. Wilson, now an elder, 
together with Robert G. McLanahan, who is at present serving the 
church in this capacity, were ordained and installed December 9, 1877. 
Mr. Bailey removed from this place, and was dismissed to Milton, Penn- 
sylvania, June 5, 1883. 

William O. Myers, who at present holds the office, and Dr. J. C. M. 
Hamilton, who was dismissed to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, March 30, 
1895, were ordained and installed December 5, 1880. 

Herndon M. Myers, dismissed to Duluth, Minnesota, August 3, 1887, 
C. B. Bowles, at present residing in Philadelphia, Charles A. Study, who 
died August 17, i8gi, and William T. Cannan, who is at the present 
time one of the members of this board and superintendent of the Sunday- 
school, were ordained and installed November 11, 1883. 

J. Walter Moore, recently ordained an elder, and Adolphus M. 
LaPorte, serving in this capacity at this date, were ordained and installed 
March 22, 1891. 

Harry L. Hesser and J. H. Grazier were inducted into this office, by 
ordination, December 8, 1895. 



Samuel Jones, Esq., the date of whose election is not known, he 
evidently having been elected at the organization of the church, served 
until the time of his death, July 31, 1894. 

Colonel Samuel McCamant was elected April 11, 1869, and served 
until April 3, 1895. 

General Pv.obert A. McCoy, who died in September, 1893, Alexander 
G. Morris, John C. Ewing, and William T. Cannan, were elected May 26, 
1890. 

This church had not been incorporated. Through the activity of Dr. 
Furbay a charter was taken out in 1895, under which a system of by- 
laws was adopted which required the election of five trustees annually, 
together with a board of auditors and independent officers of the con- 
gregation, consisting of the president, secretary, and treasurer. The first 
election under this charter was held April 3, 1895, and resulted in the 
choice of John C. Ewing, Charles A. Morris, Daniel D. Stine, J. W. 



280 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Fisher, and Joseph K. Cass as trustees. This board was organized with 
Charles A. Morris as president and D. D. Stine as secretary. The 
officers of the congregation were S. S. Blair, chairman, William C. Barr, 
secretary, and Mark G. Crawford, treasurer. 

This church is well organized, the organization, as it exists at present, 
being largely due to the work of Dr. Moore and Dr. Davies. There are 
a number of Mission Bands, a Ladies' Aid Society, a Young Ladies' Aid 
Society, a Women's Home and a Women's Foreign Missionary Society. 
These are valuable to the local organization and to the church at large. 

It is not necessary here to refer to the Young People's Society of 
Christian Endeavor and the Sunday-school, because of the full report 
that is given in another place in this volume. The Sunday-school edu- 
cated and now supports a missionary in the mission in which Rev. J. 
Milligan Goheen is located. The name of this native is Vitto. The 
church takes considerable pride in this missionary work. The spirit of 
the church is intensely missionary. It is connected by bonds of blood 
or affection with almost every foreign field of our church. 

Another interesting fact in connection with this church is that the 
Christian Endeavor Society issues weekly (since January, 1895), ten 
months in the year, a local church paper of twelve columns. This is 
valuable in enabling the pastor to reach the congregation every Saturday 
morning with regular announcements, and also the needs of the various 
benevolent agencies 0/ the church. The name of the paper is " The 
Tyrone Endeavorer." 

In October, 1894, this church entertained the Synod of Pennsylvania, 
and points back to that event with pride, inasmuch as the stated clerk, 
who had served the Synod for many years, publicly stated that never in 
his remembrance had the Synod received such accommodations and 
courtesies as at this meeting at Tyrone, the arrangements for their com- 
fort, in his judgment, being almost perfect. 

S. W. Barr. 



UPPER TUSCARORA. 

This church was organized by the Carlisle Presbytery, but there is 
no record of the date. 

The first pastor was Rev. Mcllwain, who served the church for about 
eight years. After his removal the church was vacant for about twenty 
years. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 28 1 

The second pastor was Rev. George Gray. His pastorate continued 
for twenty years. 

Rev. J. Y. McGines then supplied the church for eighteen months, 
and after him came Rev. J. B. Adams as a supply, from October, 185 1, 
until April, 1853. 

The third regular pastor was the Rev. William S. Morrison, who was 
installed August 26, 1853; resigned June, 1857, on account of bad 
health. 

The fourth pastor, Rev. G. Van Artsdiln, supplied the church for one 
year, and was installed pastor in i860. No date of his resignation. 

Rev. M. Lewis McCune was a supply from 1865 till April, 1867. 

The fifth regular pastor was Rev. J. E. Kerns, installed March 2, 
1868, resigned November, 1879. After this the church was supplied by 
Rev. Arthur for a short time. 

The sixth pastorate, that of Rev. L. L. Houghanout, extended from 
September, 1884, to December, 1889. 

The seventh and present pastorate, that of Rev. John F. Diener, 
began October i, 1890. He was installed pastor over this church in 
November of the same year, also over the churches of Shade Gap and 
Peru. 

The present membership of the Upper Tuscarora Church is one 
hundred and twenty; of the Shade Gap Church, one hundred and forty- 
five ; of the Peru Church, fifty. 

During the present pastorate one hundred and two persons have 
thus far been received into full membership in these churches. 

Names of elders, in the order of service, in the Upper Tuscarora 
Church : Thomas Morrow, Nicholas Goshorn, James Neely, James Wal- 
lace, Richard Morrow, Adam Seibert, John Woodside, James Louthers, 
John McConnell, Robert Wallace, Samuel Campbell, Rowland A. Brown, 
Alexander Carron Blair, John Montgomery, John Blair Morrow, John 
Moody Morrison, M.D., E. Montgomery, James Coulter, James G. Mc- 
Clure, David L. McDonald, M.D., Henry L. Book, John McConnell 
Blair, James Lauthers. 

Under the present pastorate the Upper Tuscarora Church has under- 
gone extensive repairs, costing over six hundred dollars, and the parson- 
age has also been very greatly improved. 

John F. Diener. 



282 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



WATERSIDE. 

A COMMITTEE of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, consisting of Rev. 
Messrs. D. H. Barron, of HolHdaysburg, Henderson, of Bedford, and 
Rev. McNinch, of Schellsburg, having been appointed to organize a 
church at Waterside, met, with the exception of Rev. Henderson, at the 
church, November 9, 1880, and, after a sermon by the chairman, 
received certificates of admission fi'om eighteen members of the Yellow 
Creek Church, which being found in order, they were received as mem- 
bers of the church to be organized. Mr. James B. Butts and Mr. J. H. 
Hartman were elected ruling elders, and Messrs. James E. Noble, 
Thomas Border, and D. B. Kochenderfer were elected deacons. Mr. 
Hartman was ordained a ruling elder, and Messrs. Border and Koch- 
enderfer were ordained as deacons, by prayer and the laying-on of 
hands, and all the above officers-elect were then installed. Services 
were held in the evening, and a sermon was preached by Rev. McNinch. 

John C. Wilhelm, stated supply, of Saxton and Yellow Creek 
Churches, included with Waterside in one charge. 

Stated supplies since its organization have been Rev. Harvey Shaw, 
Rev. Harvey Sanson, Rev. William Prideaux, Rev. J. R. Sanson, and 
Rev. William Prideaux. 

J. H. Hartman. 



WEST KISHACOQUILLAS. 

It is impossible to give the date of organization of West Kishaco- 
quillas Church, if it had a formal one. Land in the Kishacoquillas 
Valley was surveyed in 1755, but, owing to the French War and the 
raids of the Indians, permanent settlements were few until 1775. In that 
year Rev. Philip V. Fithian visited the valley and preached twice in 
West Kishacoquillas, in a barn of Robert Brotherton, on August 20, for 
which service John McDowell gave him twenty shillings. 

For a period of eight years there is no other mention of preaching in 
the valley, but a call — bearing date March 15, 1783, and still preserved, 
with the names of sixty-nine members of the two congregations of East 
and West Kishacoquillas — for the pastoral services of the Rev. James 
Johnston makes it clear that at that time two strong congregations were 
already organized and were provided with places of worship. The Rev. 
Johnston accepted this call, his services being equally divided between 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 283 

the two congregations. He was installed as pastor August 19, 1784, in 
which relation he served until June 22, 1796, at which time at the meet- 
ing of Presbytery he requested leave to resign his charge. That body, 
however, withheld its decision until the fall meeting of Presbytery, 
October 5, 1796. Meanwhile the membership of both congregations 
opposed his resignation by presenting to Presbytery a petition signed by 
a majority of the members asking that body to acquiesce in their desires. 
But, on account of his much-impaired health, Presbytery deemed it wise 
and proper to grant his request. 

From this date the two congregations seem to have been furnished 
with supplies for fourteen years, — i.e., until 18 10, in which year we find 
a call presented for the pastoral services of the Rev. William Kennedy. 
He accepted a call from Lewistown and the West Kishacoquillas 
Churches, Lewistown calling him for two-thirds and West Kishaco- 
quillas for one-third of his time. He was ordained and installed at 
Lewistown October 3, 1810, over both churches, at a salary of four hun- 
dred and eighty dollars, to be paid in proportion to the services rendered 
each, the Rev. John B. Patterson preaching the sermon and Rev. 
William Stuart presiding and delivering the charge. He remained 
pastor of these congregations until the ist of October, 1822, when he 
was, at his own request, released to the Presbytery of Erie. 

From 1822 to 1827 the West Kishacoquillas congregation depended 
upon supplies, but we find from Sessional records that, at a meeting of 
the Session, consisting of John Wilson, Esq., John Gettys, William 
Hazlett, James Wilson, and Jesse Adams, Rev. John Hutchison, 
moderating, on April 10, 1827, West Kishacoquillas congregation com- 
missioned Mr. James Wilson, a ruling elder, to prosecute a call sent by 
it for the ministerial services of Rev. James Williamson ; but, for some 
reason not given, the call was not accepted. However, at the fall meet- 
ing of Presbytery held at Sinking Valley Church on Wednesday, October 
10, 1827, Mr. James Wilson was sent to present Presbytery with a call 
for the Rev. James H. Stuart. This call was accepted, and Mr. Stuart 
became the pastor, October 26, of both the East and West Kishaco- 
quillas Churches. In these congregations he labored until disqualified 
by the ravages of disease, from which he died, February 27, 1829; he 
was interred in the cemetery of East Kishacoquillas. 

After the death of Mr. Stuart the church depended upon supplies 
until October, 1830, at which time, at the fall meeting of Presbytery, a 
united call was presented for the ministerial services of Rev. William 



284 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Annan ; this call being accepted, he was installed as pastor in connection 
with Little Valley Church November 24, 1830. The church flourished 
under his ministry until the fall meeting of Presbytery, 1835, when so 
many of the pastors were released from their charges in this Presbytery. 
Among those was the acceptance of Rev. William Annan's resignation in 
addition to three other ministers ; thus six churches and one missionary 
district were left vacant. 

One matter particularly discouraging at this time to pastor and Ses- 
sion was the frequent reprimanding by the Session of some members of 
the church for attending public dances and other worldly amusements, 
contrary to the rules and discipline of the church. So aggravated had 
this practice grown that the Session were obliged to apply to Presbytery 
for its approval or disapproval of its actions in the matter. While Pres- 
bytery fully endorsed the course of the Session in its efforts to suppress 
this evil in its midst, yet not a few suffered suspension rather than 
submit to the rule and discipline of the church, and in one or two 
instances members presented themselves to Presbytery in the hope that 
that body would justify them in their course of conduct, and allow them 
to remain as communicant members and permit them to indulge in the 
practice for which the Session had cited them to appear. The non- 
attendance of members was also viewed by the Session as a sufficient 
reason for dismissal unless good and sufficient cause were given for the 
same ; a few suffered suspension rather than submit to the demands of 
the church, although the members violating were in every instance dealt 
with in the most affectionate and Christian-like manner. 

We find that at a meeting of Session on May 23, 1836, Rev. James S. 
Woods moderated. This is the only record from the year 1835, at 
which time the charge was declared vacant, until we find a call presented 
at the stated spring meeting of Presbytery, April 4, 1837, from the 
churches of West Kishacoquillas and Little Valley, for the pastoral 
services of Rev. Moses Floyd, who was then a licentiate of the Presby- 
tery of Philadelphia. This call was accepted by him, and he was 
ordained and installed at an adjourned meeting of Presbytery held at 
Little Valley Church June 14, 1837. Rev. Mr. Floyd served as pastor 
of West Kishacoquillas until February 24, 1844, when he resigned. 

After Mr. Floyd's resignation the pulpit was supplied by the follow- 
ing ministers: several appointments during 1844 by Rev. Samuel N. 
Howell; November 4, 1844, by Rev. J. Peebles; January 5 and June'i, 
1845, Rev. Joshua Moore; November 13, 1845, R«v. D. L. Hughes. At 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 285 

a congregational meeting held January i, 1846, a unanimous call was 
presented to Rev. Samuel H. McDonald for the whole of his services, 
two-thirds of his time to be devoted to the lower or brick church con- 
gregation and one-third to the upper or AUensville congregation. This 
call was accepted, and he entered upon his duties as pastor January 30, 
1846. According to Sessional record, Rev. McDonald served as pastor 
of the two congregations, but on December 29, 1855, resigned. 

Again on June 8, 1856, we find the Rev. Moses Floyd acting as 
moderator of Session, and at various dates filling appointments at both 
places of worship, up to and including April 12, 1857. At a meeting of 
the Session August 29, 1857, we find the Rev. Ross Stephenson presid- 
ing. No further information can be obtained until June 19, 1858, at 
which time we find a call presented for the pastoral services of Rev. 
James Williamson. The call was accepted October 2, 1858, and he was 
installed December 14, 1858, and was released at the fall meeting of 
Presbytery, October 2, i860. 

On December 29, i860, at an adjourned meeting of Presbytery, a 
call was presented for the pastoral services of Rev. Robert B. Moore, 
formerly of Red Stone Presbytery. The call was accepted, and he was 
ordained and installed December 27, i860. After serving these two 
churches as pastor he resigned, and the relation was dissolved May 26, 
1867. 

At an adjourned meeting of Presbytery we find a call presented for the 
ministerial services of Rev. R. M. Campbell. This call being accepted, 
he assumed the duties of pastor, was installed and ordained June 11, 
1867, and, after a long and faithful pastorate, resigned June 1 1, 1886. 

From this date the pulpit at both places of worship was filled by 
several ministers called as candidates, embracing the period from April 
16, 1887, to June 23, 1888, at which time the name of the Rev. Sylvester 
S. Bergen appears upon the Sessional record. However, the call for his 
services as pastor dates from May 15, 1888. Rev. Mr. Bergen is at this 
date, November 29, 1895, pastor, having in his ministry in this field of 
labor been faithful to all, as well as instrumental in building up the mem- 
bership, both in the AUensville and the Belleville congregations. 

The following list comprises the names of all who have served as 
elders from the year 1820: John Wilson, Sr., John Gettys, William 
Hazlett, James Wilson, Jesse Adams, Samuel Taylor, Samuel Barr, Isaac 
Armstrong, John Fleming, William P. Maclay, John R. McCarthey, 
John Wilson, Jr., Joseph Campbell, Jr. (who, in the twenty-eighth year of 



286 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

his age, was elected and installed as an elder of the West Kishacoquillas 
Church November 27, 1845, and served until his death, October 6, 1894, 
almost forty-nine years), James B. Cook, J. Oliver Campbell, James M. 
Lashell, Robert P. Maclay, John Huey, Robert K. Allison, John W. 
Wilson, William Huey, William H. Glass, John M. Fleming, William 
M. Gibboney, A. Clay Henderson, Robert T. Fleming, Joseph N. Ham- 
ilton, and John Knepp. The following are now acting as ruling elders : 
John W. Wilson, John M. Fleming, A. Clay Henderson, Robert T. Flem- 
ing, and William M. Gibboney, of the Belleville Church ; and William 
Huey, William H. Glass, Joseph N. Hamilton, and John Knepp, of 
AUensville Church. 

The following persons who were members of this church have 
entered the ministry : Samuel Wilson, D.D., son of John Wilson, Sr., 
and one of the first elders ; John W. Hazlett and Silas Hazlett, grandsons 
of William Hazlett, one of the first elders ; Robert Fleming Wilson and 
Miles Cooper Wilson, sons of George Wilson and grandsons of the same 
elder; Joseph Henderson Fleming, son of James Fleming, and James 
Martin Wilson, son of Henry S. Wilson, and great-grandson of Elder 
Wilson, a brother of Robert Fleming Wilson, who had the ministry in 
view, but died when acquiring his education ; Robert L. Campbell, son 
of Joseph Campbell, Jr., an elder. 

After worshipping for a time at the house of the Brothertons, who 
resided just opposite the present cemetery, nearly midway between 
Belleville and AUensville, the congregation held services in a tent until 
1800, in which year a log church was built and used until 1826, when, 
possibly upon the same site, a one-story brick church was erected. This 
was used until the year i860, when it was decided to erect a substantial 
two-story brick church at Belleville. This edifice .still stands, and is at 
the present time used regularly for worship. About the same time the 
congregation built a substantial parsonage, containing eight rooms, 
where the present pastor (Rev. S. S. Bergen) now resides. 

In 1833-34 a frame church building was erected in AUensville. 
Services were held here with more or less regularity until a new one- 
story brick church was built in the year 1862, upon its present site. 

William M. Gibboney. 




MIFFLIN. PASTORS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 287 

WESTMINSTER— MIFFLINTOWN. 

As early as 1758, immediately after the surrender of Fort Duquesne, 
many persons in the eastern part of Pennsylvania began to emigrate 
westward. They were generally Presbyterians from the North of 
Ireland originally, and many of those who came out from Cumberland 
County settled in what is now known as Juniata County, in the Lost 
Creek and Tuscarora Valley. These Presbyterians would not be long 
in their new home until they would assemble together for the public 
worship of God. 

About 1760 the congregation originally known as Cedar Spring, later 
as Mifflintown and Lost Creek, now as Westminster, sent James Purdy 
and James Patterson to Philadelphia to procure a warrant from the 
Proprietary Government for two hundred acres of land for a Presbyterian 
" meeting-house." This land was located about three miles from what 
is now Mifflintown, and here was erected their first house of worship. 
It was a log building, and was reared by the early settlers of the valley 
amidst difficulties and dangers of which the present generation can have 
little conception. 

It is not known whether they were ever visited by an ordained min- 
ister previous to the year 1766, but in that year two missionaries, on 
their way to visit the Indians on the then extreme frontier in Ohio, spent 
a few days in this vicinity and preached to the congregation at Cedar 
Spring. These missionaries were the Rev. Charles Beatty and the Rev. 
George Duffield, who were accompanied by Joseph Peeby, a Christian 
Indian, as an interpreter. 

The first stated minister engaged by this congregation, the Rev. J. 
Kennedy, from the North of Ireland, occupied the field for about four 
years, beginning in 1 77 1. There is no record to be found of his having 
been installed, and it is probable that he served as a stated supply. 

Mr. Kennedy was followed by the Rev. Hugh Magill, a native of 
Ireland, who was ordained before coming to this country, and was 
regularly called and installed as pastor of the churches of Cedar Spring 
and Tuscarora, now Academia. He was one of the original members of 
the Presbytery of Huntingdon when it was organized in 179S, and was 
installed as pastor of these churches in November, 1779. In 1796 he 
was released from the charge of Tuscarora, on account of failing health, 
having been pastor of that church for seventeen years ; but he still con- 
tinued pastor of Cedar Spring, where he had his home for three years 



2J58 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

longer, when, in 1799, on account of age and increasing infirmities, 
he asked leave to resign the charge, which was granted by Presbytery, 
the pastoral relation having continued for just twenty years. 

The next pastor was the Rev. Matthew Brown, who was installed in 
1802 and remained three years. Mr. Brown became greatly distinguished 
in the Presbyterian Church and among the educators of our country. 

Some time before this, probably about the year 1800, the name had 
been changed from Cedar Spring to Mifflintown and Lost Creek and the 
old church at Cedar Spring abandoned. For mutual convenience two 
church buildings were erected eight and a half miles apart. That part 
of the congregation in and near Mifflintown erected a substantial stone 
church in the town. 

During the summer and fall of 1805 the pulpit was supplied by Mr. 
John Hutchison, a young man who had been licensed to preach but was 
not yet ordained. A call to become pastor was presented to him, which 
was accepted, and Presbytery met in the church at Lost Creek, April 15, 
1806, at which time Mr. Hutchison was ordained and installed pastor of 
Mifflintown and Lost Creek Church. The salary to be paid was men- 
tioned in the call as being four hundred and eighty-six dollars and sixty- 
six cents. This was the first and only charge of Mr. Hutchison. Hav- 
ing begun his ministry in the thirty-third year of his age, he continued 
among this people a devoted pastor, beloved and honored, for the long 
period of thirty-eight years and six months, and until removed by death 
in the seventy-second year of his age. 

In order that the congregation or society might legally hold or 
convey property, a charter was obtained from the Supreme Court of the 
State, March i, 1807. This charter was simply with reference to the 
temporal concern of the church in connection with its property, and had 
no connection with the ecclesiastical organization of the church. 

The first roll of the church of which any account can now be found 
was made out in 18 16, and is in the handwriting of Mr. Hutchison. As 
no distinction was made between the members of the congregation at 
Mifflintown and those at Lost Creek, but all names were mixed together 
in one roll as belonging to one church, it is impossible to tell the 
numerical strength of each part of the church. From the old roll it is 
found that the number of communicants in the whole church in 18 16 was 
one hundred and sixty. 

After the death of Mr. Hutchison, which occurred November il, 
1844, the church was not even one Sabbath without regular services, for 




WESTMINSTER (MIFFLIN). 




WESTMINSTER (MIFFLIN ). ELDERS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 289 

the follov/ing Sabbath the Rev. Matthew Allison preached for this con- 
gregation, after which he was asked to supply the church until the fol- 
lowing spring, which he consented to do. He had been for twenty-three 
years pastor in Kilbarchan, Scotland, and for eighteen months in charge 
of a church in Paterson, New Jersey. 

Mr. Allison was called to the pastorate of this church March 26, 
1845, and, having accepted the same, he was installed by a committee of 
Presbytery the following month, and continued pastor of the two churches 
comprising the congregation of Mifflintown and Lost Creek for twenty- 
seven years, until his death, July 8, 1872. However, the failing health 
of Mr. Allison led the congregation to procure the services of an assistant 
pastor, by calling Mr. Thomas J. Sherrard, a licentiate of the Presbytery 
of Steubenville. Mr. Sherrard began his labors the first Sabbath of Jan- 
uary, 1872, and, at the meeting of Presbytery held at Mifflintown the 
following June, he was ordained and installed. 

After the death of Mr. Allison, Mr. Sherrard continued to serve the 
two churches of Mifflintown and Lost Creek as pastor until the spring 
of 1875, when he resigned, in order that he might not stand in the way 
of a division of the congregation, or of a separation of the two churches, 
which at that time was being agitated. 

In June, 1875, a committee of Presbytery, consisting of the Rev. O. 
O. McLean, D.D., the Rev. J. H. Stewart, and Elder D. W. Woods, 
organized the Mifflintown end of the congregation into a new church, 
and in July following, at a congregational meeting, a call was extended 
to the Rev. Mr. Sherrard, which he accepted. He was installed as pastor 
in October of the same year, and continued in this relation until April, 
1880. 

The Rev. George Benaugh was called to the pastorate and installed in 
the fall of 1880, and remained a little more than four years, resigning in 
November, 1884. 

He was followed by the Rev. L. Y. Hays, who came under an agree- 
ment to supply the church for one year, beginning June i, 1885, and at 
the termination of this agreement he was unanimously called to the pas- 
torate, which he accepted. He was installed and continued in the office 
until June, 1889. During the pastorate of Mr. Hays the present hand- 
some and substantial house of worship occupied by this congregation 
was erected, and to his skilful management and consecrated energy are 
largely due the erection and dedication to the worship of Almighty God 
of this beautiful and commodious edifice free from debt. 

19 



290 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Mr. Hays was succeeded, in the summer of i8go, by the Rev. J. R. 
Henderson, who continued as pastor until the 1st of June, 1895. 

At a meeting of the congregation held on the 7th day of September, 
1895, a call was extended to the Rev. Alfred N. Raven, which he 
accepted. Mr. Raven entered upon his duties as pastor on the first Sab- 
bath of November, 1895. He has not yet been installed. This congre- 
gation is now occupying its fifth house of worship, and Mr. Raven is its 
tenth pastor. 

No complete list of those who served as ruling elders in this church 
can be found, but the following persons within the past seventy-five years 
have been called to discharge the duties of that office : William Cun- 
ningham, Joseph McCrum, John McCrum, John Robison, Jacob A. 
Christy, Edmond S. Doty, Dr. Thomas A. Elder, John Hutchison 
McAllister, Silas C. Moyer, Henry M. Groninger, R. Frank Elliott, 
James J. Horning, Thomas McCurdy, Joseph Cumins, Jacob Adams, 
David Cunningham, James Hardy, William Bell, William C. Laird, E. 
Southard Parker, George W. Wilson, William Banks, John Detrick, 
George H. Martin, Jesse R. Elder. 

The present acting members of Session are William Bell, George W. 
Wilson, Henry M. Groninger, George H. Martin, and Jesse R. Elder. 

The trustees are Hon. Jeremiah Lyon, T. Van Irvin, and John S. 
Graybill. 

In its organization it maintains a Sabbath-school, a Young People's 
Society of Christian Endeavor, and three missionary societies. At 
present it has a membership of about two hundred and sixty. 

George W. Wilson. 



WILLIAMSBURG. 



The Williamsburg Church was organized by the Rev. James Gal- 
braith on the ist day of May, 18 16. Previous to that time the commu- 
nity was supplied occasionally with preaching by the Rev. David Bard, 
who was pastor of the Frankstown Church as early as the year 1789, 
At the time of the organization, however, most of the Presbyterians of 
the community were in communion with the church of Hart's Log, from 
which most of the members who formed the organization were received. 
Not all the names of the thirty-five original members have been 'pre- 
served, but the following list is said to be as complete as can be found, — 





^<^I1N Ci^r-j^-^- 



r^-l'^e; KoLuf' 









>|REVJo5fpiiC 




.^Its^s^ 



l\EVJO)^PIlC)^ELLY'| 



Mriw^ 



^iupP' 



WILLIAMSBURG. PASTOR AND ELDERS. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 29 1 

viz., David Stewart and Elizabeth, his wife; Alexander Nesbit; Hugh 
McKilip and Jane, his wife ; John Fergus ; James Stewart and Jane, his 
wife ; William Spear and Jane, his wife ; John Carothers and Jane, his 
wife ; James Dunn and Catharine, his wife ; Robert Campbell and Rebecca, 
his wife ; Maxwell Kinkead and Deborah, his wife ; John Stewart and 
Elizabeth, his wife; John Martin and Nancy, his wife; Thomas Province 
and Elizabeth, his wife ; Lazarus McClain and Ann Catharine, his wife ; 
Mrs. Catharine Jackson, Mrs. Sarah Royer, Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, Mrs. 
Catharine Whitzel, Miss Margaret Fergus, and Miss Emily Cadwallader, 
— thirty-two. 

Of these David Stewart, Alexander Nesbit, Hugh McKilip, and John 
Fergus were elected and ordained as elders. Judge David Stewart died 
April 26, 1826. 



As soon as the church was organized the Rev. James Galbraith was 
engaged as stated supply, and continued to give the church one-third 
of his time until 1834, when his pastoral relation to the HoUidaysburg 
Church was dissolved. 

The next minister after Mr. Galbraith left, in 1834, was the Rev. John 
T. Dunlap, then a Hcentiate and stated supply of the church at HoUidays- 
burg, and employed also as stated supply of this church for about two 
years, one-third of his time. 

When Mr. Dunlap moved to the West, in 1837, the church engaged 
the Rev. John Peebles, then pastor of the Huntingdon Church, to supply 
the congregation for one-third of his time. This arrangement was con- 
tinued till 1842, when the Rev. William J. Gibson was called to become 
the pastor of the church. This call was accepted, and Mr. (afterwards 
Dr.) Gibson was installed pastor of the church for one- half his time, in 
connection with Sinking Valley as the other part of his field. Almost 
immediately after his induction a notable revival occurred, from which 
the membership of the church was almost doubled. The pastor was 
assisted on this occasion by the famous Thomas P. Hunt, extensively 
known as the "apostle of temperance," who "reasoned of righteousness, 
temperance, and judgment to come" with such power that the followers 
of Satan were stirred to great wrath, but the word of the Lord triumphed. 
Dr. Gibson remained until June, 1852, when the pastoral relation was 
dissolved. 

In the month of October of the same year Mr. John Elliott, a licen- 



292 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

tiate of the Presbytery of New Lisbon, Ohio, was called to become 
pastor. Having accepted, he was ordained and installed by the Presby- 
tery of Huntingdon on the 17th of November. In this service the Rev. 
George Elliott (brother of the pastor-elect) preached the sermon, Dr. 
James Linn presided, proposed the constitutional questions, and made the 
ordaining prayer, the Rev. George W. Thompson gave the charge to the 
pastor, and the Rev. Joshua Moore the charge to the people. Mr. Elliott 
was much beloved by his people, and great was their regret when, at the 
end of three years and five months, on account of impaired health, he 
was moved to ask the Presbytery to dissolve the relation. 

The next pastor was the Rev. John Moore, who was installed May 
22, 1857, and resigned April, 1864. During his ministry seventy-eight 
persons were admitted to the communion of the church, the church was 
extensively repaired and handsomely refitted at a cost of one thousand 
dollars, what was known as the " old study" built, and the church in 
Canoe Valley erected. 

The successor of Mr. Moore was the Rev. N. G. White, called June 
2T, 1864, installed November 9 of the same year, and continuing the 
pastor of the church for eighteen years, when, " on account of advancing 
age," he resigned March 31, 1883. His death occurred September 29, 
1895. The ministry of Mr. White was blessed with many tokens of the 
divine approval. Accessions to the church occurred annually, but the 
year 1876 was especially marked as a season of large ingathering. One 
hundred and nineteen persons were added that year to the communion 
of the church, of whom one hundred and eleven were received on pro- 
fession of their faith. 

The Rev. David Conway was called June 11, 1883, installed Sep- 
tember II, 1883, and he resigned December 13, 1889. It was during 
his ministry, about the year 1888, that certain improvements upon the 
church building, referred to hereafter, were made. During his ministry, 
also, a goodly number were added to the communion of the church. 
Of these, seventy made profession of their faith and twenty-five were 
received by letter. 

CHURCH BUILDINGS AND MANSE. 

In 1816, the year the church was organized, the Presbyterians and 
the Methodists jointly built a house of worship on the lot now occupied 
hy the residence of Mr. J. Grove Metz, which was afterwards sold to the 
Baptists. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 293 

About the period 1 824-1 826 the Presbyterians built a house of their 
own, near the centre of what is now the Presbyterian Cemetery. This 
was succeeded in 1841 by the present structure, which, although repaired 
and to some extent remodelled, is yet in the main part the same building. 

In i860 a church was built in Canoe Valley for the accommodation 
of the families in that vicinity, which is still used for one appointment 
every two weeks. 

Between 1887 and 1889 extensive repairs were put upon the Wil- 
liamsburg Church. The entrance, which had been in front, was removed 
to the southeast corner and a tower erected, over it. The pulpit was 
removed from the south to the north end of the church, and the seats 
reversed. The interior of the main audience-room was frescoed, and a 
chapel built in the rear. These improvements cost four thousand four 
hundred and thirty-nine dollars and eighty-seven cents. 

In 1849 a building with a lot of ground convenient to the church was 
bought for a manse, at a cost of eight hundred dollars. This continued to 
be the minister's home until the present pastor was called, when in 1892 
the old building with ninety feet of the lot was sold for the sum of six- 
teen hundred and thirty-six dollars, and on the remaining sixty feet the 
present manse was erected, at a cost of three thousand four hundred and 
thirteen dollars and one cent. It was first occupied by the pastor's 
family December 5, 1892. 

SESSION. 

The names of those who have served the church in the Session, in 
addition to those who were elected at the organization, are as follows, — 
viz. : 

Name. Ordained. Died. 

William Spear 1827. June 10, 1844. 

John Stewart, Esq 1827. February 18, 1837. 

Joseph Roller 1827. September 30, 1841. 

Maxwell Kinkead 1832. December, 1841. 

Daniel Hewitt 1832. 

Daniel Lower 1838. January 10, 1844. 

John Clark, Sr 1838. October 28, 1863. 

Joshua Roller 1838. December 17, 1870. 

Joseph Feay February 6, 1843. November 22, 1876. 

William S. Spear February 6, 1843. August 3, 1865. 

James Kinkead November 27, 1859. 

Jacob M. Sellers November 27, 1859. March 9, 1885. 

Thomas Cunning October 30, 1869. September 19, 1894. 

Samuel Isett October 30, 1869. May 18, 1895. 



294 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The present Session consists of the following members : James Roller, 
ordained November 27, 1859; John Clark, October 30, 1869; Josiah F. 
Ellsworth and William A. McCormick, December 14, 1874. 



Since 1843 the church has had a board of deacons, of whom Johns- 
ton Moore, David S. Rhule, Robert Alexander, Thomas Cunning, and 
Samuel Dean were ordained February 6, 1843; John K. Neff, J. F. 
Ellsworth, and Alexander Rutledge, November 27, 1859; Joseph H. 
Blackburn, Joshua H. Roller, and Homer H. Hewitt, December 14, 
1874; James Patterson, George W. Roller, and George M. Patterson, 
1878; William R. Cunningham, May, 1887; and C. R. Fluke, J. Grove 
Metz, and John A. Biddle, December 23, 1894. 

The present pastor, the Rev. Joseph C. Kelly, was called November 
I, 1890, and installed January 13, 1891. 

There are one hundred and eighty-two church members, and one 
hundred and fifteen members of the Sabbath-school. 

A Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor, a Ladies' Aid 
Society, and a Women's Foreign Missionary Society add very much to 
the efficiency of the church both at home and abroad. 

Joseph C. Kelly. 



WINBURNE. 



Rev. Chappell began the work at Winburne in 1889. He conducted 
his service in the school-house, and preached there regularly, once every 
two weeks, until the church was built. The church was organized with 
eleven members, Messrs. Somerville and Dunlap being ordained elders. 

The Methodists had, and still have, a half interest in the church 
building, but they have ceased to conduct services there, as their chief 
supporters joined the Presbyterian Church. 

This little church is in a good, healthy condition, and has one of the 
finest Sunday-schools in the Presbytery. The present membership is 
about forty. 

Thomas McClatchy. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 295 

WOODLAND. 

The Presbyterian organization at Woodland was commenced some 
time in 1868 or 1869 by Rev. Sergeant, who preached in the school- 
house for a few years about once in two weeks. About 1873 he left 
his charge at Kylertown and Bradford, after which Woodland had occa- 
sional supplies for a time. About 1878 Rev. E. P. Fousman preached 
at Woodland once in two weeks while in charge of the Kylertown and 
Bradford Churches. Then Rev. Kuhn was pastor for a time ; after Kuhn, 
Rev. Chappell ; and since he resigned his pastorate. Rev. McKinley sup- 
plied Woodland occasionally on week evenings for about two years. 

There being so few Presbyterians here, we were never able to build. 
This want of a church building, and the fact that the place is made up 
largely of a floating population and of persons who have to depend on 
their daily labor for support, have prevented the growth of the organiza- 
tion. At the present time there are but [qv^ Presbyterians left, about 
five, and we have given up trying to hold the organization together 
longer. 

J. S. NORRIS. 



YELLOW CREEK. 



In the vicinity of Yellow Creek, in Bedford County, some of the 
early settlers were of the Presbyterian faith. The nearest church of 
their choice was located at the county town, the ancient borough of 
Bedford. Their devotion to the church of their fathers was shown in 
that they united with this organization, twelve or fifteen miles distant, and 
attended upon its ordinances with commendable fidelity. 

In 1833 they applied to the Presbytery for an organization in their 
immediate locality, when Rev. Samuel Wilson was directed to proceed 
with the formation of a church, if it were deemed expedient. On No- 
vember 8 the organization was effected, when twenty-three persons 
associated themselves together as " The congregation of Yellow Creek," 
— viz., John Piper, Margaret Piper, David Piper, Elizabeth Smith, John 
Kay, Elizabeth Kay, Ann E. Anderson, Elizabeth Shoup, George Long, 
Elizabeth Long, Lucinda Piper, Thomas C. Piper, Eliza Cook, John 
Cook, Rebecca Fredrigle, Mary Buchanan, Thomas Rowland, Abraham 
Shoup, Christian King, Margaret King, Elizabeth McClanahan, Catherine 
Levingston, and Elizabeth Taylor. 



296 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

John Piper and John Kay were elected ruhng elders, and on the 
following day, which was the Sabbath, they were solemnly ordained and 
installed, after which the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was adminis- 
tered to the newly-constituted church. Mr. John Piper served to the 
edification and satisfaction of the congregation for a period of more than 
thirty years, until January, 1865, when he entered into his rest. John 
Kay in after-years removed to the West, and helped to build up the waste 
places in the newer parts of our country until his pilgrimage was ended. 

The loyalty of the congregation to the Presbytery was shortly there- 
after manifested, when they demanded the withdrawal of a member, who 
by his sympathy and support encouraged in his defiance of its authority 
a former minister, who had been deposed by its action. The offender 
was permitted to withdraw without any further censure. 

On September 15 and 16, 1842, services were held in the newly- 
erected church building, when a number were received into the fellow- 
ship of the church on profession of their faith. On the i6th their new 
church edifice was dedicated to the worship of the covenant God, and at 
the same time the glad congregation celebrated the holy communion. 
The new structure was located on an elevation near the banks of the 
Yellow Creek, from which the church takes its name, and is beautiful for 
situation. The ministers who conducted the dedicatory services were 
Revs. David McKinney and John G. Howell. For a series of years the 
church enjoyed only occasional services by appointment of Presbytery. 
The names of Revs. Baynard Hall, pastor of the church of Bedford, 
David McKinney, William J. Gibson, Brittan Collins, David Sterrett, and 
John McKinney, names of " brethren whose praise is in the gospel 
throughout the churches," appear on the records as preaching the word 
of life to the little flock. 

In August, 1846, an arrangement was made with Rev. William M. 
Hall, then pastor of the church of Bedford, by which he preached to the 
congregation for one-fourth of his time. This contract was to continue 
for six months and thereafter at the pleasure of the contracting parties. 

From 1846 to 1866 no record whatever exists of the action of the 
Session or of the proceedings of the congregation. In the mean time 
many changes had taken place. The great emigration to the newer 
parts of our country had occurred, and many from this secluded valley 
had left their early homes to found new ones towards the setting sun. 
George Long had been elected a ruling elder in 1839, and probably. at 
the same time John Cook was called to this position also. The latter 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 297 

joined the great company who sought to occupy the fertile lands of the 
distant West. This depleting process enfeebled the little church, though 
doubtless contributing to the advance of Christ's kingdom in the remoter 
parts of the country. 

During the twenty years referred to above Rev. John Elliott, Samuel 
Lawrence, D. S. Banks, and W. C. Harding ministered to this people. 
The last mentioned, after a year's service, removed to Minnesota beyond 
the " big woods," and there soon thereafter ended amidst the trials and 
privations of frontier experience his work for the Master and his life. 
Rev. D. S. Banks served the churches of Saxton and Yellow Creek with 
great acceptance. The work prospered in his hands, and the scattered 
Presbyterians in all this region were edified and helped by his faithful 
and cheerful ministry. His name with that of Rev. Samuel Lawrence is 
still fragrant in all these parts. 

In the year 1867, Rev. R. J. Graves became the stated supply. He 
was a man also of marked ability, and the churches were filled by eager 
hearers. This congregation especially seemed to be in a flourishing 
condition, and quite a goodly number of accessions gladdened the hearts 
of its friends. Additional elders were chosen in the persons of James M. 
Kinkead and Joseph B. Noble. The former served to the great satisfac- 
tion of the people as long as he remained within its bounds. But the 
latter. Judge Noble, declined to accept the I'esponsibilities connected 
with the office. His son, Joseph E. Noble, subsequently was an active 
member of the board of deacons, whilst another son. Rev. William B. 
Noble, D.D., has occupied conspicuous places in the church, and is now 
preaching the glorious gospel of Christ on the Pacific slope. After 
three years Dr. Graves gave notice that his ministry there would end on 
the 17th of November, 1870. For a time thereafter occasional supplies 
were furnished by the Presbytery, when in October of the next year a 
call was presented for the pastoral services of Mr. J. W. Boal, a licentiate 
of the Presbytery. The call was accepted by Mr. Boal, and he was 
ordained at the October meeting, but was not installed until May, 1872. 
The services of installation were conducted by a committee, consisting of 
Revs. G. W. Zahnizer, J. C. Barr, and Dr. R. M. Wallace. At the same 
time two elders who had been previously elected — viz., J. L. Melloy and 
James Piper, Esq. — were ordained and installed after the usual manner. 
Mr. Boal enjoys the distinction of being the only pastor which the 
church ever had. He alone of the many ministers who have had the 
care of this church was actually installed. The congregation was in a 



298 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

prosperous condition, but the subsequent changes which have come over 
it have greatly depleted it until a very few names remain upon its roll. 
The largest number that at any one time united with the church on pro- 
fession of their faith were received on November 21, 1874, and at the same 
time another member was added to the Session in the person of James 
Ross. The pastoral relation, after continuing about three years, was 
dissolved, and Rev. E. P. Foresman became stated supply in 1875. In 
the mean time a chapel had been erected at Waterside for the conven- 
ience of members living in that vicinity. Mr. Foresman continued to 
supply the church until 1878. During his term of service the Session 
was further reinforced by the election of W. S. Davis and J. B. Butts. 

Rev. James H. Baird, D.D., became the stated supply in the fall of 
1878, and continued in that relation for about a year, when Rev. J. 
C. Wilhelm took charge of the churches of Saxton and Yellow Creek, 
retaining it until his withdrawal from the jurisdiction of the Presbytery. 
In the mean time an organization had been effected at Waterside. The 
name of the Waterside Church appears on the minutes of the General 
Assembly for the first time in 1881, so that the organization was proba- 
bly effected in the preceding year. 

For a season the Rev. Harvey Shaw, at one time a missionary in 
Mexico, and who recently departed this life, ministered to the people of 
Yellow Creek with great fidelity. He was followed by the Rev. W. H. 
Schuyler, Ph.D., in 1887, who, residing in Everett, preached to the 
churches of Saxton, Yellow Creek, and Waterside until 1891, when he 
surrendered the care of this church. Since that time it has had no stated 
preaching, and is dependent upon occasional supplies. James Piper, 
Esq., is now the only member of the Session, and a little company 
gathers at long intervals to celebrate the Lord's Supper, and cherishes 
the old traditions to keep alive the enfeebled organization. 



The following churches were dissolved : Mount Olive, changed to 
Morris Dale Mines, and dissolved April 10, 1888; St. Clairsville, organ- 
ized June 10, 1873, dissolved June 8, 1880; Prospect, Mount Pleasant, 
Unity, Spruce Creek Second, Du Boise Second. 

Synod transferred Du Boise Church and its pastor, J. Vernon Bell, 
October, 1888, and Pennfield and Winterburn Churches and their pastor, 
J. J. Rankin, to Clarion Presbytery, October, 1892. 

J. H. Mathers. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 299 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 



HISTORY OF THE SUNDAY-SCHOOLS OF THE 
PRESBYTERY. 

REV. DAVID H. CAMPBELL. 

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in the year 1826, 
recognizing the fact that " in all parts of the church Sunday-schools were 
established, and that there was but one sentiment respecting them, 
declared them as among the most useful and blessed institutions of that 
day," and the Assembly took the following action, — viz. : 

" Resolved, That the General Assembly do cordially approve of the design and operations 
of the American Sunday-School Union ; and they do earnestly recommend to all ministers and 
churches under their care to employ their vigorous and continued exertions in the establish- 
ment and support of SabbathrSchools." 

In 1830 the Assembly recommended 

" That the system of Sabbath-school instruction, now in prevalent and cheering operation, 
be and hereby is most earnestly recommended to the attention of the pastors and Sessions of 
all our churches ; that Presbyteries be and are hereby enjoined to mal<e the progress of the 
Sabbath-school cause within their bounds the subject of special inquiry, and annually to trans- 
mit the results of such inquiry to the General Assembly." 

And further, 

" That it be and is hereby recommended to the pastors and Sessions of our churches to 
make themselves acquainted with the system of infant school instruction, and, if practicable, 
to establish such schools in their congregations." 

The beginning of the Sabbath-school work within the bounds of this 
Presbytery does not probably go much beyond this date, when it was 
recognized by the General Assembly as one of the good things that had 
come to stay. The earlier settlers in this part of the State were mostly 



300 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Scotch-Irish, who believed in home-training, and, therefore, at first did 
not look with favor upon Sabbath-schools. But as the country began 
to fill up, and the importance of instructing all the young in the word of 
God was impressed upon their minds, they were led to receive it with 
favor. Many of our Sabbath- schools came into existence as union 
schools. This was true of the Sabbath-school of Little Valley. In the 
spring of 1828 a small company of good people assembled together in 
the house of Moses Kelly for the purpose of organizing a Sabbath- 
school. The organization was effected by the election of John Bell 
superintendent, and Abraham Rothrock, late Dr. Rothrock, long an effi- 
cient elder in the McVeytown Church, as assistant superintendent. Mr. 
Bell faithfully served the school for ten years, or until his death in 1838. 
He was succeded by Henry Long, who rendered efficient service for five 
years, when death ended his labors. It was in the last year of his super- 
intendency that the Methodist families withdrew and organized a school 
of their own. Then it became a Presbyterian school. Samuel Sharp suc- 
ceeded Mr. Long, and upon his removal from the community, two years 
later, James H. Alexander became superintendent, and filled the office 
until his death in 1893, a period of forty-seven years. Of him his pastor 
writes, saying, " he was a model superintendent, deeply pious, intelligent, 
affable, punctual, and thoroughly devoted to his work. On his death- 
bed he said, ' the only reason he cared to live was for the sake of his 
Sabbath-school.' " The present superintendent is Joseph Brown. Mrs. 
Martha Mitchell has charge of the primary class, and the school has 
thirteen officers and teachers and seventy-five scholars, with an average 
attendance of fifty. 

The Williamsburg Sabbath-school, according to the recollection of 
the older people, dates its existence from the year 1830. In that year a 
union school was organized in the old Presbyterian church which stood 
in the cemetery. A Mr. Crotzer, who built the twenty-eighth section 
of the Pennsylvania Canal, was the first superintendent. He was suc- 
ceeded by Daniel Lower. The school was held at different times in 
each of the four churches. Other superintendents were Abram Eberle, 
a Baptist, and G. W. Smith, a Lutheran. A distinctively Presbyterian 
school was organized in February, 1842, on the completion of the base- 
ment of the present church. Joshua Roller was chosen superintendent 
and Mrs. Maria Wilson assistant. Mr. Roller filled the office until his 
death in 1870. Other superintendents have been James Roller, with 
Mrs. James Roller as assistant, Joseph H. Blackburn, and William A. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 3OI 

McCormick, who now well fills the office. The primary department has 
been in charge of Mrs. Joshua Roller, Mrs. J. F. Ellsworth, Mrs. Hen- 
rietta Clarke, Mrs. Ida Roller, and Mrs. Mary J. Kelly. The school 
numbers one hundred and thirty, and has an average attendance of 
seventy, and is in an encouraging condition. 

The earlier records of the Lick Run Sabbath-school cannot be found. 
The record now extant is that of a lot of Sabbath-school books bought 
in 1837, and that David Smyth was superintendent in 1842, at which 
time a constitution was made and signed by thirty-eight of the most 
prominent men then in that congregation. Other superintendents have 
been John Howder, James Harbison, John McCalmont, James L. Neil, 
Jacob Zellery, Nathan Beck, William Smyth, William Lamb, John W. 
Wilson, Samuel Aley, Robert F. Holmes, and Frank Thompson, who is 
the present one. Other active workers have been William Irwin, Allison 
Irwin, Ira C. Johnson, William Orndorff, and William Orr, with a number 
of faithful women. This school has suffered much from removals and 
deaths, and still has a membership of sixty-two. 

In regard to the HoUidaysburg Sabbath-school, no record of dates 
can be obtained beyond the year 1837. But there was evidently a 
Sabbath-school there prior to that date. Since that time the Presbyterian 
Sabbath-school has been kept up without interruption. Among the 
prominent workers have been William McCormick, Joseph Smith, James 
D. Rea,John Penn Jones, Mrs. Charlotte Irwin, Mrs. Lucretia King, and 
Miss Annie Irwin. The superintendent is Professor J. A. Stewart, and 
the primary teacher Mrs. Rebecca Smith. It numbers two hundred and 
twenty, and has an average attendance of one hundred and thirty-five. 

Hon. S. S. Blair was an active worker until his death, and Mr. and 
Mrs. A. S. Landis are now active workers in this school. It contributes 
liberally to the mission boards of the church, contributing last year one 
hundred and thirty dollars to this purpose. 

The Huntingdon Presbyterian Sabbath-school was the outgrowth of 
a union Sabbath-school that was held in the old court-house, and was 
organized about 1822 or 1823, under the supervision of Mrs. Letitia 
Smith, widow of Richard Smith, a son of the proprietor of the town, 
assisted by a number of female teachers. When the Methodist Episco- 
pal Sabbath-school was organized in 1828, this school assumed the 
Presbyterian name. For several years Mrs. Jane Borland, John 
Bracken, Dr. William Yeager, Robert Williams, and others acted as 
superintendents without a formal election. The pastor. Rev. Mr. Pee- 



302 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

bles, having two charges, could only give it partial supervision. On 
April i6, 1843, a constitution was adopted, which provided that " This 
society shall be called the Sabbath-school Association of the Presbyterian 
Church in the borough of Huntingdon." Under this constitution John 
G. Miles was chosen superintendent and David Blair assistant superin- 
tendent on June 25, 1843, '^"d continued in office five years. Other 
superintendents were N. W. Benedict and J. Smyth Reed for two years, 
Jacob Miller for thirteen years, Hon. John Scott for six years, William 
P. Orbison for seventeen years, or until 1886. Since that time the school 
has been in charge of the pastor. Rev. D. K. Freeman, D.D., and Elders 
J. R. Simpson and W. B. McCarthy. Colonel William Dorris served as 
assistant superintendent from 1869 until 1886. Since 1873 the infant 
department has been under the efficient care of Mrs. David Blair, Miss 
Whittaker, and others until 1882, when Mrs. D. K. Freeman, who is 
still doing good work in that department, took charge of it. The school 
has an enrolled membership of twenty-seven officers and teachers, and 
one hundred and eighty scholars. W. B. McCarthy is superintendent, 
with Clyde E. Hooper assistant. It contributes liberally to the mission 
boards of the church. Robert E. Speer, a secretary of the Board of 
Foreign Missions, was a member of this school. Misses Mary Speer 
and Anna Fisher with other valuable help have been conducting a 
mission school near Huntingdon, under control of the Session. 

The West Huntingdon Sabbath-school, a mission of the church, was 
organized May 24, 1874, with sixty- five members, and James A. Brown 
was chosen superintendent. The sessions were held in a private build- 
ing for ten years, or until the present chapel was completed in 1884. It 
at present has an enrolled membership of twenty-six officers and teachers 
and two hundred and seventy scholars. James S. Woods is superin- 
tendent, and Hugh Lindsay assistant. It has a growing infant class, 
under the efficient help of Mrs. M. E. Thomas. 

The Sabbath-school of Alexandria was organized about the year 
1824 by Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart, who continued in control of it for five 
years. In 1829 John Porter, an elder of the church, was chosen super- 
intendent, and he continued to fill the office with ability for fifty-two 
years, or until his death in March, 1881. In honor of him the John 
Porter Memorial Band was formed soon after his death, which has 
raised considerable money for the mission boards of the church. Mr. 
Porter was very successful among the young, and was the means' of 
leading many to give their hearts to Christ. Rev. Thomas Porter, D.D., 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 303 

a professor in Lafayette College, and a son of the above, Rev. T. Calvin 
Stewart, pastor of the South Easton Presbyterian Church, and Rev. 
AUie Barr were members of this school, and Walter Harnish, a member 
of the school, is preparing for the gospel ministry. 

Other superintendents have been James H. Dysart, W. S. Livingston, 
W. S. Stryker, C. P. Hatfield, and John Philips. Elder W. S. Stryker is 
at present in charge. This school is in a flourishing condition, and has 
eleven classes and a membership of over one hundred. 

The Sabbath-school of the Birmingham Presbyterian Church was 
organized about 1835, with John Owens, Esq., superintendent. It has 
always been a Presbyterian school. Until 1869 the school was only kept 
open during the summer, but since that time it has been continued 
throughout the year. Much attention was given in the earlier years to 
the study of the Shorter Catechism and the memorizing of Bible verses. 
Mr. S. C. Stewart is and has been for many years superintendent. Miss 
Helen Grier has charge of the primary department. This school has 
the honor of giving all its contributions to the mission work of the 
church at large. 

The Mountain Female Seminary, located at Birmingham, has from 
the first maintained Bible-classes on Sabbath afternoon, where the young 
people have been instructed by the principal. Miss Davis. After the 
revival at Eden Valley, about two miles from Birmingham, in 1881, 
a Sabbath-school was started there by Elders L. G. Grier and S. C. 
Stewart, known as a union school, but it is largely maintained by Pres- 
byterian workers and means. 

About 1882 a Sabbath-school was opened at Tyrone Forges. This 
while union in name has been principally supported by Presbyterian 
teachers and money, and it has used Presbyterian Lesson Helps. The 
pastor. Rev. H. H. Henry, writes, saying, " On the whole, our schools are 
in a more prosperous condition than ever before." 

The Warrior's Mark Sabbath-school, in connection with the above 
church, was organized in the old Baptist church by J. Roberts Lowrie 
in 1864. It was distinctly a Presbyterian school, and yet the Baptists 
met with them. Mr. Lowrie kindly furnished the books, papers, and 
helps. In 1866 it was removed to the new church, where it has been 
well sustained ever since. Dr. T. C. Petereson has been superintendent 
for some years. Mrs. Lowrie and her daughter Sarah have been most 
helpful in promoting the interests of this school. Miss Lizzie McCoy 



304 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

has been active in the primary department. The school has given lib- 
erally to missions. 

The membership of the schools is as follows, — viz., Birmingham, ten 
officers and teachers and one hundred and fifteen scholars ; Warrior's 
Mark, eight officers and teachers and sixty-three scholars; Tyrone 
Forges, seven officers and teachers and eighty scholars ; and Eden 
Valley, five officers and teachers and forty scholars, or a total of three 
hundred and twenty-eight. 

The Presbyterian Sabbath-school of Pine Grove Mills, Pennsylvania, 
is a descendant of the union school organized there in 1835, with William 
McWilliams as president, and David Mitchell and Thomas Patton super- 
intendents, all Presbyterian. In 1839 the same officers are mentioned, 
with the following teachers : Margaret and Mary Patton, Elizabeth 
Jackson, Mrs. Nancy Thomas, and John B. Mitchell. The Methodists, 
were the first to withdraw, and in 1858 they were followed by the 
Lutherans, when the school became Presbyterian. During all these 
years a Presbyterian had charge of the school, and active workers in it 
were such Presbyterian families as the Pattons, Mitchells, Barrons, 
Murrays, McGonigles, Samples, and Laurimores. Since 1858 the 
superintendents have been T. F. Patton, Professor J. E. Thomas, Hugh 
McGonigal, J. B. Mitchell, D. H. Miller, and Dr. G. H. Woods, now in 
office. Mr. T. F. Patton served as superintendent or assistant for fifty 
years. Those who have been or are now active workers are Miss H. A. 
Campbell, Mrs. A. P. Mitchell, Mrs. S. Ralston, Mrs. Bryson, Mrs. D. H. 
Miller, Mrs. W. H. Fry, Mrs. K. M. Woods, Mrs. Maggie Gates, Mrs. 
Jennie Tate, and Misses Mary Thomas and Sallie Barr, and Messrs. 
William Roush and John and Cooper Miller. The school has an 
enrolled membership of fifty, and has annually contributed to the mission 
boards of the church. Rev. D. H. Barron, D.D., pastor at HoUidays- 
burg, was a member of this school. 

The Sabbath-school known as the Westminster of Mifflintown was 
an outgrowth of a union Sabbath-school and colonized in 1838. It 
has had in all nine superintendents, in the following succession : John 
McKennan, and then Edmund S. Doty, Esq., Jacob A. Christy, and W. 
C. Laird. These four served for a period of thirty-seven years. Then 
came Dr. Thomas A. Elder, for four years, Alfred J. Patterson, Esq., for 
eight years, George W. Wilson, for two years, R. Frank Elliott, for one 
year, and William H. Rodgers, from 1890 to the present time. Revs. 
William M. Burchfield, Joseph H. Mathers, D.D., and Andrew H. Parker 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 305 

were members of this school. Mrs. Ada Lyons has had charge of the 
primary department for years past, and has done efficient service there. 
This school has an enrolled membership of seventeen officers and teachers 
and one hundred and six scholars. 

. The Beulah Sabbath-school is an outgrowth of the " Wheatland 
Sabbath-school," which was organized in May, 1840. This was the name 
given at that time to that region of country. Prominent in the organiza- 
tion were Elder McCullough, William Mullen, and G. W. McCuUy, and 
it numbered about twenty-five. The sessions were held in an old log 
school-house until 1859, when the Beulah Church was built and moved 
into. In that year the name was changed to " The Beulah Presbyte- 
rian Sabbath-school," and the school was reorganized by the above- 
named persons, who were still the active members of it. Its sessions 
were not continued throughout the year until 1872, This was about 
the time Rev. William Gemmill began his labors there. The first super- 
intendent was William Mullen, and other superintendents were Elder 
McCullough, J. H. Morgan, G. W. McCully, W. B. Whiteside, and Ben- 
jamin N. McCully, who is now in charge. The school numbers thirteen 
officers and teachers and one hundred and thirty-three scholars. Miss 
Mary Mullen is in charge of the primary class. 

The Madera Sabbath-school, which is an outgrowth of the Beulah 
Church and Sabbath-school, was organized in 1872. Isaac Hegarty, 
S. B. Woodring, and W. B. Comely have been superintendents of this 
school. Isaac Hegarty is the present one. Mrs. James Comely has 
been an active worker in it. Miss Ida Wilson is in charge of the primary 
class. The school has an enrolled membership of thirteen officers and 
teachers and one hundred and twenty-eight scholars, and has done a 
good work. 

A Sabbath-school had been maintained at Janesville, within the 
bounds of the Beulah Church, by Thomas Prideaux, an elder of that 
church, for a number of years. He was ably assisted by his wife and 
family. This is now closed. 

The Arch Spring Sabbath-school was organized about the year 1840, 
with Samuel Houser as superintendent and James Wilson assistant. It 
was continued during the summer months, with a membership of from 
forty to fifty, until about 1859, when for some reason the school closed. 
Other superintendents during this time were Richard Bathgate and John 
Tussey, an elder of the Presbyterian Church. 

Through the instrumentality of Mr, John Neff, of Philadelphia, who 



306 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

was visiting in the neighborhood, the school was revived in the year 
1866. The sessions were held in the Presbyterian Church, and the 
superintendent and assistant were elders in the same, and yet it did not 
become distinctively a Presbyterian school until 1873. The superin- 
tendents since its revival have been Thomas M. Fleck, Samuel Isett, 
and John A. Crawford, who, with Alexander Templeton as assistant, 
were elected in 1868, and still fill the same offices. About one hundred 
and forty members of the school have become members of the church, 
and six have become ruling elders. The school has increased from forty 
to one hundred and forty, and is in a prosperous condition. Since 1873 
it has been open throughout the year. Other active workers during the 
past ten years have been J. D. Mentzer, C. O. Templeton, W. M. Morrow, 
J. M. Tussey, Joseph H. Morrow, Mrs. J. J. Coale, Misses M. Ella Mor- 
row, Alice Morrow, Emma J. Crawford, Grace Burkett, Lavinia Crawford, 
Ella K. Crawford, and Mary Tussey, Foster Crawford, D. A. Morrow, 
Robert Morrow, Jr., John Rosenberry, and others. 

The Shirleysburg Sabbath-school was organized in the early history 
of the church, and has continued its existence for many years. Among 
its superintendents have been Judge John Brewster, Jessie HoUingsworth, 
Henry Brewster, William H. Brewster, David Douglas, Samuel Douglas, 
John Jacobs, John Douglas, and Daniel Brandt, who now fills the office. 
Miss Kate Douglas was in charge of the primary class some years since. 
For a number of years Mrs. Bell Kerr has been successfully caring for 
this class. Among those who have been active workers in this school 
were Dr. W. P. McNite, Mrs. W. H. Brewster, Miss Julia Leas (now Mrs. 
George P. Speer, of Denver, Colorado), Mrs. Martha Douglas, Mrs. T 
H. Adams, Miss Lucy Stewart, Dr. F. L. Schum, and Charles Brewster. 
Among the active members now are Misses Annie Brandt, Etta Whipp, 
and Sadie Smiley, Frank Brewster, and W. Scott Miller. This school 
has suffered much from removals and deaths, which have greatly reduced 
the roll from what it was years ago. Its present membership is fifty- 
seven. 

In regard to the date of organization and name of the first superin- 
tendent of the Presbyterian Sabbath-school of Lewistown there is no 
record. A Sabbath-school was organized and held in the court-house. 
D. W. Woods, Esq., who gives this information, says " the only teacher 
I remember to have heard of at this time was Mrs. Hannah Doty." 
" The first superintendent I have ever heard of was Hon. Ephraim 
Banks, who was appointed after my father became pastor in 1824." After 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 307 

him John H. Hickok was appointed, who continued as such for about 
two years, when he resigned, and Mr. Banks was again selected, and 
continued as such until he was elected auditor-general of Pennsylvania 
in 1850. 

Then William Russell was chosen, and served until January, 1855, 
nearly forty-one years ago, when D. W. Woods, Esq., was selected, and 
has filled the office up to the present time. As superintendent he has 
given to scholars who have recited the Shorter Catechism over three 
hundred and fifty Bibles. The school has twenty-eight officers and 
teachers and two hundred and thirty scholars. There are four teachers 
in the primary department. Miss Mary Shaw has for years been in 
charge of this department, and with her assistants has rendered efficient 
service. The school has an average attendance of two hundred. It 
contributed last year thirty-eight dollars on Children's Day, and one 
hundred and ninety-five dollars to the mission boards of the church and 
one hundred and ten dollars towards its own support. 

The Spring Mills Sabbath-school was organized as a union school in 
an old log school-house on the 9th of September, 1828. This school 
has never been a distinctively Presbyterian school, and yet since the 
year 1842 its sessions have been held in the Presbyterian church. Its 
first superintendent was Charles Pauling. David Duncan was chosen 
secretary and Peter Wilson treasurer. Other superintendents have been 
Samuel Hanna, Robert McClellan, Thomas Hutchison, a Presbyterian, 
David Allison, a Presbyterian, and Peter Wilson, a Presbyterian elder. 
Peter Wilson served as superintendent from 1853 to i86i,and from 1869 
to his death in 1886. He was prominently connected with the school 
from its organization. Among those who have labored longest as 
teachers in the school have been Miss Mary E. Duncan, Miss Nancy 
Wilson, Mrs. Margaret Woods. The Sabbath-schools of the Methodist, 
Reformed, and Evangelical churches are some of the fruit of this school. 
The Presbyterians and Lutherans are still in union, and the school is 
well attended and the work carried on in harmony and good will 

The present superintendent is William Goodhart, an elder of the 
Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. William Allison has charge of the 
primary class. This school simply reports to the Presbytery the number 
of Presbyterian officers, teachers, and scholars. The number last reported 
is forty, nine of whom are officers and teachers. 

The Sabbath-school work in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, begun with a 
union school, organized about 1 830 by Frederick Gulick, and carried on 



308 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

by him for twenty years. " Father" Guhck's work in this line keeps his 
memory fresh, while many of his contemporaries are forgotten. The 
Presbyterian school in Clearfield was organized about 1850 by William 
B. Smith, who was succeeded as superintendent by William Robison. 
Dr. A. M. Hills tookcharge about 1855, and successfully and faithfully 
filled this position until 1870. 

The superintendents following him were Rev. H. S. Butler, D.D., 
who was deeply interested in the Sabbath-school work, Hon. Cyrus 
Gordon, Professor B. C. Youngman, and B. F. Reed, all efficient officers, 
filling up the time until 1892. At this time the school was established 
on modern lines and a good system of Christian giving taken up and 
followed. 

At the beginning of 1892 Alexander Patterson was elected superin- 
tendent by the Session, and H. B. Hartswick and Dr. J. L. R. Heichold 
first and second assistants, under the arrangement that a person would 
be asked to serve only one year in the first position, when the assistants 
would be advanced, and some one be elected to the office of second as- 
sistant superintendent. Following this plan Alexander Patterson, H. B. 
Hartswick, Dr. Heichold, and George Weaver have each served one year 
as superintendent, and James B. Graham and J. F. Powell are in line for 
1896 and 1897. 

The school is well maintained. A new chapel built in 1893 and 1894 
has largely added to the number in attendance and to the comfort and 
efficiency of the school. 

Miss Jennie Bridges, Miss Alice Betts, Mrs. Clarke, and Miss Lizzie 
Hartswick are among those who have had charge of the primary de- 
partment. During the past year it contributed seventy-five dollars to 
the mission boards and one hundred and fifty dollars for self-support. 
The school numbers thirty officers and teachers and two hundred and 
ninety-three scholars, and has an average attendance of one hundred and 
sixty-four. Three missions have been in connection with this church 
for some years, — viz.. Pine Grove, Porter, and Glen Richey, and re- 
spectively have eighty-six, fifty-six, and one hundred and sixty-five 
members. 

The history of the Sabbath-school of Newton Hamilton Church 
dates back to about 1834 or 1835. Captain William Ewing came with 
his parents from Ireland and landed there in the fall of 1836, when he 
was nine years of age. He says he attended Sabbath-school in the old 
Presbyterian church in the fall of that year. John McNear was prob- 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 3O9 

ably the first superintendent. Active workers in the early years of this 
school were Hugh Wilson, William McNear, John Drake, William and 
Robert Corbett, Sheriff Postlethwaite, Mrs. Sarah Postlethwaite, and 
David Copeland. For some reason there seems to have been no school 
from about 1845 until the spring of 1852, when it was revived and re- ■ 
organized. Benjamin Norton, an elder, was superintendent. The his- 
tory of the Sabbath-school of the Newton Hamilton Church dates from 
its organization in 1838. Before that it was in connection with the 
Waynesburg (McVeytown) Church. The superintendent was an elder 
in that church until 1838. The school prospered in the pastorate of 
Rev. Benjamin Carrell. Other superintendents have been Samuel Laird, 
Dr. Charles Bower, Dr. J. R. Taylor, Robert L. Gamble, Samuel Ewing, 
Hugh Laird, Abram Aurand, Noah Otto, John D. Miller, and James H. 
Dysart. The present one is Samuel Ewing, who has served nearly 
twenty years. 

Those who have been active workers were Mrs. Susan Purcell, Miss 
Sarah J. Norton (wife of Rev. McKee), Miss Lizzie Caldwell, Mr. and Mrs. 
Jacob Norton, Joseph Wharton, S. T. Postlethwaite, J. N. Postlethwaite, 
and D. A. Postlethwaite. The teachers are Captain William Ewing, James 
A. Dysart, Mrs. Ann Postlethwaite, Mrs. Bell Harvey, Mr. and Mrs. John 
Baker, L. V. Postlethwaite, Mrs. James Graham, Mrs. Mary Black, Mrs. 
Eichelberger, Miss Clara Postlethwaite, and Joseph B. Gray, and C. L 
Fuller is secretary. The Sabbath-school room was recently newly fitted 
up, and this has added to the comfort, attendance, and efficiency of the 
school. It is in a flourishing condition, and has an enrolled membership 
of one hundred and twenty-eight and an average attendance of sixty- 
seven. Its contributions amount to about fifty dollars annually. 

It observes Children's Day and Christmas Anniversary, and is help- 
ful to the church. Miss Mary Baker is organist and John Baker is 
chorister. 

The history of the Sabbath-school of the Shade Gap Church dates 
back at least to the year 1844, when W. Y. McGinnis began his labors 
in that church. Between the year 1844 and that of 1863 considerable 
attention must have been given to the Sabbath-school work. For in the 
minutes of the General Assembly for 1863 the churches of Shade Gap 
and Upper Tuscarora reported two hundred and seventy children in 
Sabbath-school. This seems to have been their first report in this matter. 
Joseph Hudson and Alexander Blair were active promoters of the Sab- 
bath-school work in this church during its earlier years. 



3IO THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The work has ever since been carried on in this congregation. It 
has two schools. One is at Shade Gap, and W. C. Swan is superintend- 
ent. It continues all the year. The other is at Pine Grove, and J. H. 
Harper is superintendent, and does not continue all the year. These 
schools have a membership of eighteen officers and teachers, one hun- 
dred scholars, and an average attendance of seventy-five. They con- 
tributed last year twenty-four dollars to missions and twenty-two for 
their own use. 

The Milroy Presbyterian Sabbath-school was organized about 1846 
with a membership of forty. Dr. Samuel Maclay was chosen superin- 
tendent, and faithfully filled the office for twenty years. He was suc- 
ceeded in turn by John Aitkins, Ezra Hoopes, and J. C. McNite. Mr. 
McNite served from 187& until the withdrawal of Rev. J. W. White and 
the larger part of his congregation in the year 1.883. At that time the 
Sabbath-school membership in the congregation was about two hundred. 
The school has since that time continued with a largely-reduced roll, 
and it has been attended with encouragement. Its membership is sixty. 
The superintendents have been J. C. Wilson, D. S. McNite, and Albert 
Thompson, who is now acting. Miss Dosia Brooks has charge of the 
primary class. It contributed last year twenty-two dollars and thirty- 
four dollars for self-support. 

The Sabbath-school of the Lower Tuscarora Church was organized 
about 1849 with Samuel Okeson as superintendent. This was during 
the pastorate of Rev. Dr. G. W. Thompson. Mr. Okeson served until 
his death in 1866. Other superintendents have been Robert Patterson, 
Rev. S. J. Milliken, Joseph S. Brown, D. D. Stone, J. Nevin Pomeroy, 
who served thirteen years, and J. H. Deen, who was chosen in 1889 and 
is still in office. 

This school is under direct control of the Session. It continues its 
sessions throughout the year. The Sabbath-school work in the bounds 
of this church was in a flourishing condition in 1855. In the minutes 
of the General Assembly for 1856 this church reported six hundred 
children in the Sabbath-school. This was in the pastorate of Rev. 
Dr. G. W. Thompson, who had several flourishing schools in his con- 
gregation. He was an active Sabbath-school worker. At present it 
numbers sixteen officers and teachers and one hundred and sixty-two 
scholars. 

The Sabbath-school of the First Presbyterian Church of Altoona 
was organized April 8, 1855, with ten officers and teachers and seventy 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 3II 

scholars. William C. McCormick was chosen superintendent, and served 
eight years, and was succeeded by William M. Lloyd, who continued in 
office until 1869, when B. F. Custer was elected. In 1877 Thomas H. 
Wiggins followed Mr. Custer, and served until 1884, when G. L. Myers 
was elected, who continued in office until 1886. He was followed by 
John A. Canan, who served two years ; then by Thomas H. Wiggins, 
who served four years ; and then by W. J. Pollock, who served two 
years. The present superintendent is S. A. Gailey. 

Among those who have been assistant superintendents have been 
John A. Keesberry, James W. Trimmer, Professor D. S. Keith, and A. 
C. Shand. The superintendents of the primary department since 1859 
have been Miss Eliza J. McCormick, for seventeen years; Mrs. N. C. 
Barclay, for five years; Jacob Hirst, for four years; Mrs. Elizabeth Piper, 
Mrs. A. M. Black, and Mrs. Emma Ritchey, each for one year; and Miss 
Millie Mayo, for three years, or until 1884, when Mrs. Catharine Swoope 
assumed charge of it. This school is the mother of the Presbyterian 
schools in the city of Altoona. It has given of its membership one 
hundred in all to the organization of the other schools. 

The contributions last year amounted to three hundred and eighty- 
two dollars. It has contributed to works of beneficence two thousand 
dollars, and eight thousand dollars to the general fund of the church. 
It has always had a most efficient corps of officers and teachers, and has 
been well conducted. Its present membership consists of fifty-one offi- 
cers and teachers and three hundred and thirteen scholars. It has an 
average attendance of two hundred and thirty-four. 

The Sabbath-school of the Second Presbyterian Church of Altoona 
was organized July 18, 1869, with a membership of thirty-nine. James 
H. Dysart was the first superintendent and Maxwell Kinkead first secre- 
tary. 

The primary department was organized the same day with Daniel 
Laughman superintendent, and had eight scholars. At the end of the 
first year there were forty-five officers and teachers and three hundred 
and one scholars in the main school, and a total of one hundred and 
twenty-six in the primary department, Mr. Dysart served as super- 
intendent for ten years, and was succeeded by J. Chester Wilson, who 
served five years, or until 1884. Then William S. Ross, M.D., was 
chosen and served five years, and was succeeded by J. Chester Wilson 
in 1889, '^vho served one year. The present superintendent, H. K. Mc- 
Cauley, was chosen in 1890. These men have all been faithful, zealous, 



312 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

and efficient officers. Besides those named above the associate superin- 
tendents have been C. J. Mann, Harry Slep, Mrs. J. M. Campbell, J. D. 
Irwin, W. A. McGee, Theodore S. Wigton, A. T. Findley, Miss M. M. 
Ross, Mrs. J. L. Russell, and Mrs. M. W. Thompson. This school has 
furnished the following-named persons to the gospel ministry, — viz., N. 
Perry Grouse, G. Stuart Hackett, George Plack, Albert C McCauley, 
Edward D. McDowell, in Syria, Samuel Martin, and Harry Allen. • An- 
other member, Ira Laughman, died while in the theological seminary. 
This school has an enrolled membership of thirteen officers, fifty-eight 
teachers, and five hundred and twenty-three scholars. Miss M. M. Ross 
is superintendent of the primary department, and is assisted by Mrs. G. 
M. Esterline. The teacher's class is in charge of Alexander T. Findley. 
The contributions during the past year amounted to four hundred and 
eighty-six dollars, of which amount five dollars were given to the Blair 
County Sabbath-School Association, one hundred and twenty dollars to 
an educational fund, and one hundred and eleven dollars to the boards 
of the church. Its average attendance during the past year was three 
hundred and forty-eight. 

The Sabbath-school of the Third Church of Altoona is one of the 
younger schools of the Presbytery. It was organized on Sabbath after- 
noon, May 6, 1888, in the chapel of the German Baptist Church on 
Fifth Avenue near Fifth Street, as a mission school by the pastors, Revs. 
J. W. Bain and J. L. Russell, of the First and Second Churches. 

It numbered four officers, nine teachers, and fifty-four scholars, and 
J. D. Irvin was chosen superintendent. The sessions were held in the 
place of organization until December 9 following, when they entered 
their own building at its present location. Its growth was so encour- 
aging that a church was organized the following January 14, 1889. At 
the end of the first year there were one hundred and twenty-three en- 
rolled ; at the end of the second year two hundred and eleven ; at the 
end of the third year two hundred and sixty-three; and at the end of 
the fourth year two hundred and seventy. On account of the formation 
of other schools about it, it has not been able to maintain this high 
number. But it has held its own, and now has a membership of thirty- 
five officers and teachers and two hundred and twenty-three scholars, 
with an average attendance of one hundred and fifty-nine. 

Mr. Irvin was succeeded by Silas Moyer in 1891, then followed John 
H. Keefer and John S. McCune, who each served two years. Mr. Mc- 
Cune is still in charge. The primary department has been in charge of 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 313 

Mrs. Emma Scott and Miss Ella Walker, who have been efficient in this 
position. 

The Sabbath-school of the Broad Avenue Church of Altoona was 
organized on the second Sabbath of June, 1892, being Children's Day, 
with a membership of fifty-four. John A. Canan was chosen superin- 
tendent, and continued to serve until June I, 1895, when he was suc- 
ceeded by James W. Smiley. They have made such rapid growth that 
it now has a membership of twenty-one officers and teachers and two 
hundred scholars. 

The Sabbath-school of the Juniata Presbyterian Church, Altoona, 
Pennsylvania, was organized July 22, 1892, with a membership of about 
fifty, under the superintendency of T. R. Brown. It has a membership 
of about one hundred and fifty, and its officers are B. T. Wolf, superin- 
tendent; E. C. Kinch, assistant superintendent; Miss Mary English, 
secretary ; and W. B. McNeal, treasurer. 

This is the youngest school of the Presbytery and is full of hope. 

The Sabbath-school of the Logan's Valley Church at Bellwood (for- 
merly Bell's Mills) is an outgrowth of a union school that was carried 
on for a number of years in the Mary Ann Forge school-house. It 
dates back well on to 1850. It was held in the summer months. 
Among the Presbyterian families in this school were the McFarlanes, 
Irwins, Campbells, Glasgows, Craines, Bells, and Hunters. The Baptists 
were the first to organize a denominational school. They were followed 
by the Methodists in 1869. It was in that year that the Presbyterian 
school was organized with about seventy-five members. The pastor, 
Rev. J. H. Mathers, D.D., was chosen superintendent, and John Camp- 
bell assistant. Dr. Mathers filled this position for twenty years. Dr. 
Rowan Clark was subsequently chosen assistant superintendent and 
John Campbell treasurer, which position the latter filled until his death 
in 1883. Dr. Clark has done much to promote this school. Others in 
the school have been T. A. Gettys, F. M. Glasgow, Mrs. Rebecca Ester- 
line, Miss Martha Campbell, Miss Alice Lindsey, Miss Lizzie Bell, Mrs. 
Samuel Bell, J. B. Campbell, Mrs. Igou, Albert McFarlane, Mr. Geesey, 
and Miss Edith Bell. It is now in a prosperous condition under the 
superintendency of O. S. Fleming, who has filled this position for about 
five years. 

It has an enrolled membership of twenty-two officers and teachers 
and one hundred and seventy-four scholars. Mrs. E. C. Mathers is in 
charge of the primary class. Rev. D. H. Campbell, pastor at Mount 



314 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Union, was a member of this school. A Sabbath-school has been car- 
ried on for years in the old church near Tipton during the summer. It 
is in charge of Thomas Fleck, and has a membership of forty-five. 

The school now known as the Port Royal Presbyterian Sabbath- 
school was organized in the year 1.852. It was an outgrowth of a union 
school of an earlier date. The first superintendent was Colonel John 
M. Thompson, who held this office until 1861. He was succeeded by 
Samuel Buck, with Dr. G. M. Graham assistant superintendent. After 
the removal of Mr. Buck from Port Royal, and the death of Dr. Graham 
in 1893, Hon. W. C. Pomeroy was elected superintendent and Dr. A. 
W. Shelley assistant. The school is now in a good condition and is 
doing a good work. It numbers five officers, eleven teachers, and 
one hundred and fifty scholars. The primary class was first taught by 
Miss Annie Thompson, a daughter of Rev. Dr. G. W. Thompson, and 
now wife of Rev. J. H. Stewart, and afterwards by Mrs. E. Buck, Mrs. 
U. Stewart, Mrs. J. R. Sartain, and now by Miss Kate Keister. The roll 
of the school shows a large attendance of the young people who are 
members of the church. 

This school contributed in 1894 seventeen dollars and seventy- three 
cents to Sabbath-school missions and forty-eight dollars for its own 
support. 

The first Sabbath-school held in Mapleton, according to the recol- 
lection of the older people, was in the year 1858. It was a union school, 
and Colonel William Donaldson was superintendent. Colonel Donald- 
son was a Presbyterian. He was succeeded by William H. Rex, who 
came to Mapleton in 1859, and who has been actively identified with the 
work there ever since. According to the diary of A. W. Swope, Esq., 
for the year 1863, the Presbyterian Sabbath-school of Mapleton was 
organized in the church on the 24th of May of that year. This was 
about eighteen months after the church had been completed. Rev. 
Britton E. Collins, of Shirleysburg, was the stated supply of this con- 
gregation, and preached at intervals of about four weeks. William H. 
Rex was chosen superintendent, which office he faithfully filled until 
about 1886, when on account of ill health he was compelled to retire 
from such active service. He still continued to teach a large adult class. 
The history of the school is about four years older than that of the 
church. 

Other superintendents have been Benjamin F. Baker, T. Morris 
Wood, and J. E. Dysart, who is at present acting, with A. B. Gillam as 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 315 

assistant. The school began with a membership of about twenty-five. 
It now has an enrolled membership of one hundred and eighty- 
three, and an average attendance of one hundred. It contributed last 
year about eighty-eight dollars. It contributes to all the boards of the 
church. 

Those active in the beginning of the school were Benjamin, Daniel, 
Henry, and William Kauffman, M. F. Campbell, A. W. Swope, John 
Gayton, Mrs. Ann Gayton, Dr. Alman, Mrs. David Johnston, Simon P. 
Stubbs, Miss Amanda Taylor, and John J. White. Other active workers 
have been Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Wright, Mr. and Mrs V. B. McCarthy, 
Elliott Bitner, and G. A. Miller. 

J. G. Hicks has the primary class. Mrs. Hatfield has taught a large 
class of young men since 1883, and has been very successful. Mr. 
Hatfield is organist as well as teacher, and has been very helpful to 
the school since 1883. This school is well provided with officers and 
teachers, and is in an encouraging condition. The pastor, D. H. Camp- 
bell, and elders do much to promote the interests of the school. It has 
from the first continued throughout the year. This school has grown 
rapidly since 1883. 

The first Presbyterian Sabbath-school organized in Mount Union 
dates back to about the spring of 1862, when a school was organized in 
the old church under the ministry of Rev. G. W. Shaiffer, pastor of the 
Shirleysburg Church, with which this point was connected at that time. 
J. A. J. Postlethwaite was the first superintendent, and Alfred Simons 
was assistant. The attendance was about twenty-five. 

Some of the early teachers were Mrs. Lucy Simons, Mrs. Jane 
Shaver, Mrs. Malinda Sechler, Miss Mary Ann Shaver, Elder P. R. 
Shaver, and Miss Eva Shaver. After the first year its sessions were 
held throughout the year. Other teachers have been Miss Emma Sech- 
ler, J. C. Postlethwaite, J. S. Coulter, P. Shaver, Jr., Kate Stewart, Dr. J, 
W. Mackey, Mrs. Rhoda Flasher, Mrs. A. Covert, and Kate Foust. 
Mr. Postlethwaite served as superintendent until 1873, excepting the 
year 1870, when B. J. Devor, and in 1871, when T. A. Appleby, served as 
superintendents. T. A. Appleby was chosen in 1873, and has filled the 
office to the present time. Other assistants have been Dr. A. R. Mc- 
Carthy, W. W. Fuller, J. J. White, John S. Coulter, J. C. Ross, and W. 
G. Ewing. The history of the school is older than that of the church 
of Mount Union, which was organized in 1865. About the year 1867 
the school was removed to the building it now occupies. R. J. Faust 



3l6 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

was elected assistant superintendent in 1882, and since that time has had 
charge of the primary department, which has five teachers, Mrs. Nettie 
Hunter, Mrs. R. Ross, Mrs. Simons, Mrs. A. M. Appleby, and B. C. 
Wharton have been teachers. It contributed ninety-two dollars last 
year to the boards of the church and two hundred and two dollars for 
home use. It has an enrolled membership of two hundred and thirty- 
four and an average attendance of one hundred and fifty-three. It con- 
tributes to all the boards of the church. The pastor, Rev. D. H. Camp- 
bell, conducts a Bible-class in the parsonage on Monday evening on the 
study of the next Sabbath's lesson. 

The history of the Sabbath-school of the Tyrone Church begins with 
a union school held in the basement of that church in the early part of 
1865, with Dr. H. H. Roedel superintendent. The Lutherans having 
withdrawn during the same year, the Presbyterian Sabbath-school was 
organized on Wednesday evening, August 28, 1865, and the pastor, 
Rev. J. H. Clarke, was chosen superintendent, with W. H. H. Nevling, 
assistant, and C. S. W. Jones librarian. It started with four classes 
taught by W. H. H. Nevling. Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, Mrs. M. Jolly, and 
Mrs. Ellen Russell. In about six weeks S. C. Laird, Esq., was chosen 
superintendent, because the preaching engagements of the pastor pre- 
vented him from regularly filling the position. Other teachers in the 
school were Mrs. Laird, Mrs. Read, Emma Jones, Mollie Study, Nannie 
Aults, Miss Elder, Mrs. Kerlin, William Robertson, H. J. Cornman, 
Thomas Caldwell, and S. W. Barr. Joseph H. Patterson served a brief 
term as superintendent. Other superintendents have been Hon. Samuel 
McCamant, serving from June, 1868, to March 31, 1878, and from April 
I, 1882, to March 31, 1887; S. S. Blair, from April I, 1878, to March 31, 
1882; C. J. Kegel, one year from April i, 1887; J. L. Porter, for two 
years from April i, 1888 ; A. A. Witter, for one year from April i, 1890; 
and W. T. Canan, from April i, 1890, to the present time. C. O. Tem- 
pleton, Esq., has charge of the primary department, which position he 
has filled for several years. This school has at present fifteen ofificers 
and forty-seven teachers. One of the interesting features of the school 
is the large class taught by the pastor. Rev. Harvey Graeme Furbay, 
Ph.D. It has an enrolled membership of six hundred and eighty-seven 
and an average attendance of four hundred and twenty-five. The class 
collection for the last year amounted to four hundred and thirty-three 
dollars. This school has supplied the means for the education of -a 
native Hindoo for the ministry, and it now supports him. He labors 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 317 

under the direction of Rev. J. M. Goheen in the Kohlapoor Mission, 
India, and his name is " Vitto." This is the largest and one of the most 
prosperous schools in the Presbytery. 

The Sabbath-school of the Milesburg Presbyterian Church dates its 
organization from May, 1868. John H. Hahn was the first superintend- 
ent, and the school began with a membership of seventy-five. W. B. 
Thomas became superintendent in 1886 and served until 1895, when D. 
E. Woodring was chosen to that ofifice. J. B. Thomas, Miss Sarah C. 
Thomas, Miss Julia A. J. Morris, and Miss Lizzie Hahn have been active 
workers in this school. It still has a number of active and efficient 
workers, and the pastor. Rev. W. O. Wright, writes of it, saying, "The 
school has always been good, and has never stopped for one Sabbath, 
not even after the fire in June, 1888." It has sixteen officers and teachers 
and one hundred and eleven scholars. Miss Annie Church is in charge 
of the primary class. 

Of the Moshannon Sabbath-school Rev. W. O. Wright writes, say- 
ing, " In 1861 I taught in the Sabbath-school of the old Moshannon 
Church before I was in the ministry. It was then in a good condition, 
but I do not know who was superintendent. I think it was a Mr. 
Herxtall. When I entered on the work there the school had gone 
down. Then there was no Sabbath-school until reorganized about 1892. 
But the Methodist Episcopal Church then appointed preaching service 
there at the same hour that the school met and it went down again. It 
was again reorganized about May, 1895, and has now an enrolled mem- 
bership of fifty-nine. T. D. Weaver is superintendent, and W. T. Lomi- 
son assistant." It has about six active workers, and its prospect of 
continued life and of doing good is encouraging. 

In respect to the Sabbath-school of Snow Shoe City, it has had a 
continued existence since its organization about July 17, 1869. John S. 
Gomerville was an active promoter of this school, and was probably the 
first superintendent. Other superintendents have been Adam Barr, 
Joseph Thompson, John D. Brown, and the present one, Peter Park, 
who was elected in September, 1895. 

This school has nine officers and teachers and fifty-nine scholars, 
with average attendance of forty-four. 

The last two named schools are in coal regions and have a fluctuating 
membership. 

The Sabbath-school of the Osceola Presbyterian Church was first 
organized as a union school, and it continued such until in the year 1871, 



3l8 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

when the Methodist Church was completed, and they organized a school 
of their own. 

Then it became strictly Presbyterian, and since that time it has had 
the following superintendents, — viz., J. R. Cameron, A. H. Greenwalt, 
Hugh Campbell, H. W. Brown, and G. W. Boone. The last named is 
now superintendent. 

While since the year 1871 four other schools have been organized in 
the borough of Osceola, the growth of this school has been encouraging, 
and its present condition is a healthful one. It has an enrolled member- 
ship of one hundred and eighty, and an average attendance of one hun- 
dred and twenty-one. 

The Sabbath-school of the Spring Creek Church was organized on 
May 21, 1866, in the old Branch Church. The pastor, Rev. Robert 
Hamill, was chosen superintendent. General John Fraser assistant super- 
intendent, Moses Thompson treasurer, and William Thompson secre- 
tary. The first teachers were General John Fraser, Miss Sarah Allen, 
Mrs. E. W. Thompson, Miss Lizzie Boal, John Hamilton, John Moore, 
William Thompson, Miss Rebecca Lyon, and Mrs. Margaret McFarlane. 
At the end of the first year General John Fraser was chosen superin- 
tendent, and a few years later William Thompson was elected to this 
office, which he still continues to hold, although the duties of the office 
have been performed for some time past by John J, Thompson, Jr., who 
is now in fact the acting superintendent. The sessions of this Sabbath- 
school have continued without intermission since its organization. 

The Sabbath-school of the Lower Spruce Creek Church was organ- 
ized in the year 1872 with a membership of forty, under the pastorate of 
Rev. J. J. Coale. It is not known who was the first superintendent. 
The only record we have at hand is that E. B. Isett filled the office in 
the years 1891 and 1892, and that Asbel Welch was elected in 1893 and 
served until the summer of 1895, when he removed to Philadelphia. 
W. B. Isett is now the acting superintendent. Among those who have 
had charge of the primary class are Miss Sallie Thompson and Miss 
Elanor Isett. 

Since early in 1893 to the present time it has been under the efficient 
care of Mrs. L. K. Thompson. The school has an enrolled membership 
of thirteen officers and teachers and seventy scholars, and an average 
attendance of fifty-five. In 1894 it contributed thirty dollars to the 
mission boards of the church and seventy-eight dollars for its own support. 
It is in an encouraging condition, and has a number of good workers. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 319 

The Sabbath-school of the Bradford Presbyterian Church had its 
origin in a union school in the old church, which in 1872, when the new 
church building in Bigler was completed, was taken into it. The first 
year there it was a union school, and Angus M. Gill was its superin- 
tendent. Then it became a Presbyterian school. Some years after Mr. 
Angus M. Gill was succeeded by Lowry Gill. He was in turn followed 
by John L Pearce, the only elder now in that church, who, with the 
exception of one year by Samuel H. Gill, has faithfully filled the office 
up to the present time. This school had an enrolment of sixty in its 
beginning, while at the present time it does not have more than fifty 
members, and these are irregular in their attendance. Death and re- 
movals have done much to deplete their roll. There are but two in the 
school now who were members at its organization. These are Miss 
Lizzie Pearce, who teaches a young ladies' class, and the superintendent. 
Mr. Pearce has been a faithful officer and teacher in this school for many 
years. He writes of it, saying, " Sometimes I think we will have to close 
the school, but the good Lord always opens the way to go on." They 
have always had a few active workers, and these have kept up the school. 
Miss Cora Fulton has been in charge of the primary class. 

The Sabbath-school of the Buffalo Run Presbyterian Church was 
organized April 9, 18 , with seventy-six members. Joseph M.Wilson 
was chosen superintendent. William F. Thompson became superin- 
tendent in 1872, and continued in office until 1882, when he was suc- 
ceeded by B. F. Thompson. Other superintendents have been William 
McClelland, George Musser, G. Dorsey Green, and J. W. Marshall, who 
is now in office. The school at present has a membership of seventy, 
and is in a fairly flourishing condition. 

The Orbisonia Sabbath-school was organized in October, 1874, 
during the ministry of Rev. William Prideaux. The first superintendent 
was R. J. Coons. It was a mixed school for some years, and had various 
denominations represented in its teaching corps, and met in the afternoon. 
Other superintendents have been J. M. Rankin, Solomon Coons, John 
R. Wilson, Professor S. G. Rudy, and Johnston Archey. The present 
superintendent is R. J. Coons. Mr. Edgar Shaver has served as a teacher 
and active worker in this school for years. While the church was with- 
out a settled pastor the school held its own steadily, and was the life of 
the church. The present enrolled membership is eighty. 

The Sabbath-school of the Petersburg Presbyterian Church appears 
to have been organized on the 22d of April, 1877, with forty-one mem- 



320 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

bers. Samuel K. Wharton was the first superintendent. David Sheasley 
succeeded him in the following year, and served until 1888. During 
these years the school about maintained its own. Then John Porter 
served for three years. The school gained both in numbers and interest 
during these years. Hon. George M. Cresswell was elected in 1891, and 
at present continues to fill the office. The school has had an encouraging 
growth, and has now an enrolled membership of one hundred and forty- 
nine, with an average attendance of eighty. Its contributions for last 
year amounted to eighty-five dollars and eighty-eight cents. Mrs. S. K. 
Wharton has charge of the primary class. 

The Sabbath-school of Robertsdale was organized in June, 1883, with 
about twenty-five members, and Dr. J. A. Crewett was chosen superin- 
tendent. He having removed from the community the following year, Mr. 
H. R. Shearer was chosen to succeed him, and still fills the office. Very 
few of the scholars of the school belong to the families of the church. 
They come mostly from other Protestant families. It is largely a mission 
school. It is now, and has been for years, mainly supported by the super- 
intendent, his wife, and three daughters. It is somewhat fluctuating in 
its attendance. Rev. N. A. McDonald, D.D., is the stated supply of this 
church, preaching once a month. 

The Sabbath-school of Irvona was organized in the waiting-room 
of the Bell's Gap Railroad, now the Pennsylvania and Northwestern 
Railroad ticket-office, with eight persons present, on the 17th day 
of May, 1885, and C. B. McKean was chosen superintendent, with 
David Cline assistant. It was established in a lumber and coal com- 
munity, where there is also a large tannery, and has done an excellent 
work in that community. The average attendance for the first year was 
twenty-six, and for 1894 it was ninety-six, showing an encouraging 
growth. Rev. F. T. Wheeler, who was five years pastor of this church, 
did much to promote this school. C. B. McKean did efficient service in 
this school during the first four years. It has had as superintendents 
Herman Haupt, J. C. McGaughey, H. D. Pearce, and T. W. Bailey, 
who at present is its superintendent. Mrs. James Haley, Mrs. Brown, 
Mrs. Callie Dotts, James Haley, Mrs. Bailey, and Mrs. Heims have 
been active workers in this school. Its present membership consists 
of nineteen officers and teachers and one hundred and thirty-five 
scholars. 

It is with regret that we are compelled to note the fact that more 
than twenty of our churches have failed to send any facts relating to the 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 32 1 

history and working of their Sabbath-schools. We give a few facts we 
know about them. 

The Bellefonte Church has a most prosperous school, with an enrolled 
membership of twenty-five officers and teachers and two hundred and 
fifty scholars, and an average attendance of one hundred and sixty. J. 
W. Kephart is the superintendent, and J. C. Weaver is assistant, and 
Mrs. Mary Gray has charge of the primary department. General James 
A. Beaver, a judge of the Superior Court, was for years a successful 
superintendent of this school, and is still an active worker in it. It con- 
tributed last year three hundred and thirty-seven dollars to the boards 
of the church, sixty-eight dollars to other benevolent objects, and fifty- 
eight dollars for its own support. Rev. J. H. Orbison, M.D., of India, 
was a member of this school. 

The Spruce Creek Church is another of the old churches, and has 
an honorable history. It has an interesting unwritten Sabbath-school 
history. It has three schools within its bounds. The one at the main 
church at Graysville is the oldest. Its sessions have not been held 
throughout the year. The families of Olivers, Reynolds, McWilliams, 
and Wigtons have been active workers in this school. Andrew Oliver 
is superintendent. Revs. J. C. Oliver and J. M. Goheen were members 
of this school. Another school has been held in the chapel at Bailley- 
ville since it was built. This school continues throughout the year. 
The present superintendent is William Gardner. A. G. Ewing acted in 
this capacity for years prior to his death. A. E. Clemson is teacher of 
the adult class. The Goheens, Baileys, Lyons, and Porters have been 
active in this school. 

The third school is held in the chapel at Colerain, and is continued 
throughout the year. The school has been in charge of Miss C. E. 
Stewart, who has been assisted by her sister, Miss Margaret, and others. 
These schools have a membership of two hundred and twenty-five, and 
an average attendance of one hundred and eighty. They contributed 
last year to missions forty-three dollars and eighty dollars to self-support. 

The West Kishacoquillas Church has four schools within its bounds. 
Two of these. Airy Dale and Shiloh, are union schools, and do not con- 
tinue all the year. The school at Belleville is in charge of J. R. Fleming, 
and continues all the year. Oliver Campbell was for many years the 
superintendent of this school. The one at Allensville has also had con- 
tinuous sessions, and is in charge of William Huey. The membership of 
these schools is one hundred and sixty-eight, and the average attendance 



322 TBE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

is one hundred and thirty-seven. They contributed eighty-four dollars 
to missions, fourteen dollars to other benevolent objects, and thirty-eight 
dollars for self-support last year. Their condition is encouraging. 

The school of the East Kishacoquillas Church dates back at least 
fifty years in its history. The sessions were for many years held in the 
brick church located about one mile from Reedsville, and did not con- 
tinue all the year. Since the church has been built in the town the 
school has been removed to it, where its sessions are held all the year, 
and its membership has been largely increased. This has also added to 
the comfort and efficiency of the school. The superintendent is Robert 
Reed, and Dr. S. H. Rothrock is assistant ; Mrs. Emma Foster has charge 
of the primary class. Mrs. J. E. Henry and Miss Anna Kyle have also 
had charge of this class. Albert Foster has also served as superin- 
tendent. It numbers twenty-four officers and teachers and one hundred 
and fifty-one scholars. It contributed last year fourteen dollars to Sab- 
bath-school missions and seventy-five dollars to self-support. 

The history of the school of the McVeytown (formerly Waynesburg) 
Church goes back among the oldest of the Presbytery. 

In the year 1856 Waynesburg and Newton Hamilton Churches 
reported eighty children in Sabbath-school. This has for years been an 
active and flourishing school. The superintendent, Jacob R. Wirt, has 
filled this position for years, and Jarnes Macklin is assistant superin- 
tendent. Misses Beckie Patterson and Mary E. Mateer are infant-class 
teachers. Mrs. Laura Macklin and Miss Laura Leffard have also had 
charge of this class. It has a membership of thirteen officers and teachers 
and one hundred and sixty scholars, and an average attendance of one 
hundred and twenty. It contributed eighty-four dollars last year. 

The school of the Duncansville Presbyterian Church dates its history 
from the organization of the church in 1846. For many years a Sabbath- 
school has been held in this church. The present superintendent is D. 
M. Thompson, and the primary class teachers'are Miss Sue Thompson, 
Miss Kate Walker, and Miss Edith Merriman. It has a membership of 
ninety-two, and an average attendance of sixty-five. It contributed sixty 
dollars last year. 

The Sabbath-school of Bedford is in charge of Professor C. J. Potts. 
He has filled this position since 1 892. His predecessor was J. C. Rus- 
sell. Mrs. A. B. Riddle, Miss Laura Armstrong, and Miss Eleanor Hall 
are teachers in the primary department. W. P. Schell is assistant super- 
intendent. It numbers fifteen officers and teachers and ninety scholars, 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 323 

and has an average attendance of seventy-five. This is one of the oldest 
schools. 

The Sabbath-school of the Lost Creek Church at McAlisterville is 
contemporary with the Sabbath-school of Westminster of Mifflin. Its 
history will date back with that. The superintendent is E. L. Jamison, 
who has served for a number of years. His assistants are William Van- 
ormer and P. M. Shirk. Dena Moore has charge of the primary class, 
and Maggie Wilson is assistant. 

The school numbers one hundred and thirty, and has an average 
attendance of ninety-eight. Last year it contributed eighteen dollars to 
missions and thirty-four dollars for its own use. 

The history of the Sabbath-school of Curwensville and that of the 
church are one, and date from about 1850. This school has been in 
operation for years. Colonel E. A. Irvin, Henry Kerns, J. A. Read, Miss 
Alice Irvin,* and Lizzie and Hal Crouch have done much to promote it. 
It has fifteen officers and teachers and one hundred and fifty-five scholars, 
and an average attendance of ninety-eight. Last year it contributed one 
hundred and thirteen dollars for its own use. 

The Sabbath-school of the Middle Tuscarora Church goes back 
beyond 1850. It has two Sabbath-schools, one at McCullough's Mills, 
with Professor J. H. Landis superintendent, and A. S. Raffensperger 
assistant, and Mrs. Ludwig and Mrs. Milliken in charge of the primary 
class; and the other at East Waterford, with C. N. Ramsey superin- 
tendent, and J. T. Shirk assistant. Effle Robison and Lottie Loudon 
are in charge of the primary classes. 

The membership of the McCullough's Mills school is one hundred 
and twenty, and that of East Waterford is fifty-nine, and they contributed 
twenty-three dollars last year. They continue all the year and are 
prosperous. 

The Sabbath-school history of the Bald Eagle Church began with 
that of the church in 1859. It has for years had within its bounds two 
Sabbath-schools. The one at Port Matilda is the larger, and the present 
superintendent is Jacob Woodring, and Candace Woodring has charge 
of the primary class. This school has twelve officers and teachers and 
ninety-eight scholars, and an average attendance of seventy-five, and con- 
tributed last year twenty-six dollars. The one at Unionville, Fleming 
Post-Ofifice, is in charge of Mrs. Margaret Holtzworth, and has seven 
officers and teachers and sixty-eight scholars, with an average attendance 
of sixty. It contributed thirty-three dollars last year. 



324 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

These schools report an encouraging condition. They are at present 
without a pastor's care. The Thompsons and Campbells have been 
active promoters of the Sabbath-school work in this congregation. The 
late pastor was Rev. George Elliott, who did much for this cause. These 
schools continue throughout the year. 

The history of the Sabbath-school of Fruit Hill Church probably 
dates from the organization of the church in 1839. In the earlier years 
of it, it was not open all the year. It has had all-year sessions at least 
since 1874. The Sabbath-school membership at the beginning of the 
pastorate of Rev. D. H. Campbell in 1875 was about one hundred, while 
in 1884 it was increased to three hundred in two schools, one in the 
church and the other at Glen Hope. Among its superintendents have 
been John Thomson, Joseph McNeal, R. M. Johnston, Reuben Cald- 
well, John G. Wilson, Taylor McNeal, and Joseph Patterson. The present 
one is Newell Witherow. It contributed last year thirty- eight dollars to 
the mission work and thirty dollars for its own use. It has for years 
contributed to the mission boards. It has a membership of one hundred 
and forty. 

This is the main school. Another school is held in the chapel at 
Berwinsdale. Hezekiah Patterson is superintendent. This is a school 
of a short history. It has a membership of sixty-six, and an average 
attendance of twenty-eight, and contributed twenty-six dollars last year. 

The Sabbath-school of the Philipsburg Presbyterian Church dates its 
history at least to the organization of the church in 1857. For years it 
did not have an encouraging growth. In 1878 it had a membership of 
sixty-five. Rev. Thomas Thompson was in charge at that time. He 
also labored at Morrisdale Mines, where there was a Sabbath-school of 
two hundred members, it being a mining district, and by the year 1886 
it was extinct. The Philipsburg school has especially made rapid growth 
since Rev. W. W. Woodend, D.D., began his labor there about 188 1. 
The present superintendent of this school is G. H. Lichtenthaler, and 
other recent superintendents have been W. W. Wikel, C. E. Murray, and 
G. W. Ganoe. Mrs. William Burchfield and J. H. Dysart have had 
charge of the primary class. It is now in charge of Miss Helen Forshey. 
The membership of the school consists of twenty-seven officers and 
teachers and two hundred and fifty scholars, and it has an average at- 
tendance of one hundred and eighty. It contributed last year sixty- 
eight dollars to the mission boards of the church and one hundred- and 
fourteen dollars for self-support. This church has a mission school 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 325 

named Pleasant Hill that has a membership of eleven officers and 
teachers and ninety-one scholars. It has an average attendance of 
sixty-one, and is open all the year. 

The history of the Sabbath-school of Houtzdale dates from about 
the year 1874 or 1875. The church was organized in 1875. The first 
report of the school to Presbytery w^as in 1878, when it reported a mem- 
bership of sixty. Mr. Peter Cameron and his wife and family have had 
much to do in organizing and in helping to carry on this school. It 
was organized under the ministry of Rev. William Gemmill. It was first 
held in private houses. Peter Cameron was most probably the first 
superintendent, and has served in that capacity for a number of years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Watchman and James Blades were among the organizers 
of it. Miss Christine Cameron has rendered most efficient service in the 
primary department. The superintendent is Peter Cameron, who prob- 
ably has filled this office since the organization of the school. It has a 
membership of fifteen officers and teachers and one hundred and seventy- 
one scholars, and an average attendance of one hundred and fifty-one, 
and it contributed last year twenty dollars to the boards of the church 
and ninety-seven dollars for self-support. 

The Amesville Mission School (union) is maintained by this church. 
It has a membership of eighty-six, and is open all the year. 

The Sabbath-school of State College dates its history from the time 
its chapel was erected and dedicated in March, 1888. There were some 
efforts to start a school there prior to this, but they were not successful. 
It began with a membership of fifty- six. It was in connection with the 
Spring Creek Church. Professor John Hamilton was chosen superin- 
tendent, and has continued as such to date. The church was organized 
in 1892. It has a membership of seventeen officers and teachers and 
ninety-two scholars, and an average attendance of seventy-five. Mrs. 
Josephine Pearce has charge of the primary class. George C. Butts is 
assistant superintendent. It contributed in 1894 twenty-four dollars to 
Sabbath-school missions and fifty-seven dollars for its own use. It is 
one of our young and vigorous schools. 

The history of the Sabbath-school of the church of Everett probably 
goes beyond the organization of the church in 1874. This school has 
just about maintained itself. In the year 1877 it reported a membership 
of forty. In 1895 it reported a membership of thirty-five, with an average 
attendance of twenty-eight. This, although a smaller number, judging 
from the average attendance, is a stronger school than it was a few years 



326 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

ago. Thomas A. Davis was for years superintendent. The present one 
is Rev. George P. Weaverhng. It contributed last year thirteen dollars 
to missions and nineteen dollars for self-support. 

The history of the Sabbath-school of Schellsburg most probably 
begins some years after the organization of the church in 1833. Within 
the last twenty years this school has about held its own. The reported 
membership in 188 1 was the same as that reported in 1895, which is 
forty-five. Its average attendance is thirty-five. It contributed last year 
seven dollars to the boards and twelve dollars for its own use. Isaiah 
Conley is superintendent. R. M. Taylor preceded him. Mrs. Sue Taylor 
and Mrs. Anna Wright are primary teachers. 

The Sabbath-schools of the Upper Tuscarora and Peru Churches 
have not been maintained throughout the year. Their sessions have 
been held during the pleasanter months of the year, and close late in the 
fall. The superintendent of the former is James H. Speer. This position 
was filled for many years by J. B. Morrow. The Blairs have been active 
promoters of this school. J. M. Blair is now assistant superintendent. 
Miss M. J. Morrow had charge of the primary class for years prior to 
her marriage. The superintendent of the Peru Mills Sabbath-school is 
R. H. Patterson, an elder, who has been in this position for years past. 
He has been assisted by his wife and sister. The membership of the 
Upper Tuscarora school is seventy, and it contributed in 1894 twenty 
dollars to the boards of the church and seventeen for self-support. Mrs. 
J. F. Deiner and family are active workers in this school. The average 
attendance is fifty, and the membership is sixty. 

The Sabbath-school of the Sinking Creek Presbyterian Church goes 
back to an early date. But we have no facts about its origin. This 
school has been on the stand-still for years. Yet the work has gone on. 
In the year 1877, when Rev. T. A. Robinson was pastor, it reported a 
membership of forty. Its present membership is forty-one, and its 
average attendance is thirty. It is without a pastor. The pastors have 
been W. K. Foster, J. H. Kerr, and H. C. Baskerville. The present 
superintendent is Dr. William A. McGeehon, and Mrs. Sadie Bushman 
is the primary class teacher. G. O. Benner preceded Dr. McGeehon, 
and Mrs. John Dauberman has had charge of the primary class. It con- 
tributed twenty-seven dollars last year for self-support. 

The Sabbath- school of the Shaver's Creek Presbyterian Church has 
an interesting history, but the facts have not been given. Under the 
ministry of Rev. J. C. Wilhelm, in the year 1877, it reported a member- 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 327 

ship of sixty, while in 1895 it reported forty, and an average attendance 
of twenty-five. James Smith, the superintendent, and Hugh Jackson 
and their families, with the Mitchells and others, have maintained this 
school. It is not open all the year. It contributed eight dollars for 
self-support last year. • 

The Kylertown Church and Sabbath-school seem to be without any 
dates of beginning. In 1878 the Sabbath-school reported a membership 
of fifty. Its present membership is eighty-two, and it has an average 
attendance of fifty. Jackson Hoover, an elder, is superintendent, and has 
served since 1891, and probably for years prior to that. Miss Minta 
Hoover has had charge of the primary class. Mrs. Merron and Miss 
Blam are now the teachers of this class. It contributed last year eight 
dollars to Sabbath-school mission and seventy dollars for self-support. 

The Winburne Presbyterian Sabbath-school, which is an outgrowth 
of the work of the Kylertown Church, dates its history before the organi- 
zation of the church, which was in 189 1. In that year the Kylertown 
Church reported a Sabbath-school membership of two hundred and five, 
while in the next year it reported one hundred and five, just one hun- 
dred less. 

This is a young and vigorous school. Samuel M. Dunlap was chosen 
at its organization, and is still its superintendent. It is located in a 
mining region. It has a membership of fifteen officers and teachers and 
one hundred and thirty scholars. J. L. Sommerville has been an active 
promoter of this school. Mrs. J. L. Sommerville has charge of the pri- 
mary class. It contributed twenty dollars last year to the church boards 
and fifty-two dollars towards self-support. 

The Kerrmoor Presbyterian Sabbath-school was an outgrowth of the 
Fruit Hill Church and of the United Presbyterian Church at Lumber City. 
Members of these two churches organized this school. It antedates the 
organization of the church in 1888. J. S. McCreary was the first super- 
intendent, and is now. It reported in 1889 a membership of ninety. Its 
present membership is eighty-four, with an average attendance of sixty- 
five. Mrs. Blair Stevens and Mrs. T. P. Stevens have charge of the pri- 
mary class. Last year it contributed sixteen dollars to Sabbath-school 
mission and twenty dollars for self-support. 

The Sabbath-school of the Coalport Presbyterian Church was organ- 
ized about 1888, for in that year it reported a Sabbath-school membership 
of eighty, which in 1892 was increased to one hundred and thirty-three. 
It at present reports a membership of seventy-one, and an average attend- 



328 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

ance of forty-six. W. J. Caldwell has probably been superintendent 
since its organization. Miss Ada Lydick has been in charge of the pri- 
mary class, and still cares for it, and is assisted by Miss Kate Caldwell. 

The churches of Woodland and Hyndman have never had any Sab- 
bath-school. The Bethel Sabbath-school has been on the decline ever 
since the organization of the Petersburg school in 1877; until within the 
last year or two it has reported no school. Glenhope and Waterside 
report no school. Glenhope, while a point in connection with the Fruit 
Hill Church during the pastorate of Rev. D. H. Campbell, had a flour- 
ishing Sabbath-school for several years. Yellow Creek, Hublersburg, 
Mann's Choice, and Saxton Churches have no schools. These have had 
flourishing schools, but they have gone down. In many instances their 
strength has been carried into other schools and churches. It is not 
lost. Oftentimes the centre of spiritual life and light changes from one 
place to another. 

In looking at the history and progress of the Sabbath-schools of the 
Presbytery, we recognize the fact that this Presbytery has been alert to 
its duty in looking after the Sabbath-school interests within its bounds. 
The first year in which the Presbytery seems to have called for Sabbath- 
school statistics seems to have been in the year 1855 ; for in the Assem- 
bly's Minutes for 1856 we find a column set apart for the number of 
" children in Sabbath-school" in each church. In that year the following 
churches reported, — viz., Moshannon and Snow Shoe, seventy; Lower 
Tuscarora, six hundred ; Williamsburg, one hundred and ten ; Altoona, 
ninety, and Waynesburg and Newton Hamilton, eighty; or six churches 
reported nine hundred and fifty children in Sabbath-school. Almost 
two-thirds of these came from the pastoral charge of Rev. Dr. G. W. 
Thompson. In 1857 twenty-one churches reported two thousand six 
hundred and twenty-six children in Sabbath-school. In i860 twenty- 
one churches, out of forty-four in all, reported three thousand two hundred 
and fifty-three children in Sabbath-school. In 1870 forty-two churches 
out of fifty-five reported a Sabbath-school membership of six thousand 
one hundred and fifty-one. At first they were asked to report just chil- 
dren. In 1867-69 they were asked to report the number oi persons in the 
Sabbatlvschool. Since then it has been the Sabbath-school membership. 

It was not until in the Assembly of 1882 that it was recommended 
that a standing committee on Sabbath-schools be appointed in each 
Presbytery and Synod for the purpose of holding Sabbath-school insti- 
tutes, stimulating normal classes, guarding against the intrusion of 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 329 

outside Lesson Helps, and to obtain statistics for the use of the secretary 
of this department. And yet years before this the Presbytery of Hunt- 
ingdon had a standing committee on Sabbath-schools. This committee 
in 1874 was composed of Revs. S. T. Wylie, chairman, S. T. Wilson, D.D., 
W. J. Chichester, T. J. Sherrard, and H. S. Butler. In 1876-78 this 
committee was Revs. H. S. Butler, chairman, W. O. Wright, W. J. 
Chichester, and T. J. Sherrard, and elders A. S. Landis and D. W. Woods. 
In 1879 it was the same, with the addition of Rev. Dr. S. T. Wilson, 
who was made chairman. In 1880 Rev. H. S. Butler became chairman 
again, and remained as such until his removal from the Presbytery in 
February, 1884. After this the committee was again reorganized, and 
was constituted as follows : Revs. D. Conway, chairman, D. K. Free- 
man, D.D., A. H. Jolly, and elders T. A. Appleby and Jonathan Ham- 
ilton. Upon the removal of Rev. D. Conway from the Presbytery, and 
other changes, the committee was reorganized in 1889, with Rev. D. H. 
Campbell chairman. The other members at present on this committee 
are Revs. W. G. Finney, H. F. Means, H. C. Baskerville, William H. 
Decker, and elders T. A. Appleby and S. S. Blair. The Presbytery has 
ever given prominence to this work. Years ago annual conventions 
were held, and were successful. But on account of so many conventions 
they were for a while omitted. It has been customary to have a popular 
meeting in the interest of Sabbath-schools at the fall meeting of Presby- 
tery. In the year 1893, by action of Presbytery, the Presbytery was 
divided into two districts, — the eastern, comprising the counties of Hunt- 
ingdon, Bedford, Mifflin, and Juniata, and the western, comprising the 
counties of Blair, Centre, and Clearfield. This was done that we might 
more conveniently have Sabbath-school institutes or conventions annu- 
ally. The eastern district has had two interesting institutes, — one at 
Petersburg in 1893, and the other in Mifflintown in June, 1894. The 
western district had one in Tyrone in the fall of 1893. 

In 1880 the membership was eight thousand seven hundred and 
eighty-five, as reported by fifty-nine churches out of sixty-seven, which 
shows a growth of two thousand six hundred and thirty-four in ten 
years. At the present time there are eighty-nine Sabbath-schools in 
sixty-eight churches, having twelve hundred and ninety-two officers and 
teachers and nine thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine scholars, 
making a total of eleven thousand one hundred and seventy-one ; which 
makes a net gain in membership of two thousand three hundred and 
eighty-six in fifteen years, or a gain of five thousand and twenty in 



330 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

twenty-five years, or since the reunion in 1870. The average attendance 
is seven thousand and sixty-eight. 

In closing this article we would recognize the great goodness of God 
to us in this branch of the Lord's work, and praise him for the degree of 
prosperity with which he has seen fit to so richly bless it. 



THE WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 

MISS CATHERINE W. STEWART. 

The year 1834 will ever be memorable in the history of heathen 
women. In that year the Rev. Dr. Abeel, returning to England from 
his mission in China, presented their claims on the gifts, labors, and 
prayers of Christian mothers and wives, with such such power and ten- 
derness that eyes were opened and hearts stirred with a deep sense of 
personal responsibility. The result was the forming of the " Society for 
promoting Female Education in the East." The great work and influ- 
ence of that society is an enduring monument to Dr. Abeel. 

The same year, before congregations in New York, this earnest ad- 
vocate for the elevation of heathen women pictured their debased, en- 
slaved condition, secluded and veiled by their cruel customs, for which 
no remedy had yet been suggested. As he told of the millions im- 
prisoned in harems and high-walled zenanas, which seemed as if they 
never could be scaled, it was indeed a revelation to his hearers. 

Among the many fired with enthusiasm to do something for these 
oppressed ones was Mrs. T. C. Doremus, of New York. But an inde- 
pendent movement at that time was not deemed wise and prudent by 
leaders of the mission boards. Twenty-six years later, however, this 
movement was made. 

Very early in this century women's foreign missionary societies 
existed in this country, and many churches in this State and Presbytery 
had such associations. But " women's work for women" — viz., the 
sending forth of female missionaries to labor among the secluded women 
of the Orient — was not undertaken until i860. Then the Woman's 
Union Missionary Society sprang into existence, with Mrs. T. C. Dore- 
mus as its president. Zenana work among the women of India was the 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 33 1 

marked feature of this new society, — which became the pioneer of 
" women's work for women" in its present form of organization. 

Similar organizations soon followed in the different evangelical de- 
nominations. " The soil seemed wonderfully prepared for this novel and 
untried mission. It grew apace, and soon sent out its branches, till now 
more than fifty such associations have sprung up the world over." 

A few " elect ladies" in Philadelphia, whose hearts God had touched, 
so that they could no longer be deaf to this cry for help which had 
reached America's shores, felt that an organized effort must be made by 
Presbyterian women for this specific work in the foreign field. After 
several meetings for prayer and consultation, the Woman's Foreign 
Missionary Society was formally organized October 4, 1870. The ap- 
proval of the Board of Foreign Missions was then secured. The General 
Assembly in May, 1871, gave its hearty sanction to the work undertaken 
by this society, recognizing the hand of God and the spirit of prayer 
and consecration in the whole movement. 

The society then sent to the entire church an appeal, asking " the 
earnest and systematic co-operation of Christian women and children in 
sending and supporting female missionaries and native teachers and 
Bible-readers to the women in heathen lands, through the agency of the 
Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church." The response 
was speedy and cordial from far and near, and at the first annual meeting, 
April, 1 87 1, thirty-seven auxiliaries, twenty-five bands, and fifteen mis- 
sionaries were reported as under the care of the Woman's Foreign 
Missionary Society. Had not the Good Shepherd gone before and 
moved hearts with his own compassion, so that they were ready to 
follow him in his search for these lost ones ? 

So a quarter of a century ago this little mission vessel was launched, 
and, touching at the ports of India, China, Japan, Corea, Siam, Laos, 
Persia, Syria, Africa, South America, and Mexico, it has left precious 
freight from which the people have obtained untold blessings. It is 
now one of the seven Woman's Foreign Mission Boards of the Presby- 
terian Church, each one having its own mission and missionaries, and 
separate head-quarters in New York, Albany, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. 
Louis, San Francisco, and Portland. Its helpers, in auxiliaries, bands, 
and individuals, are found in Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, 
New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, and the District of Columbia. Under its 
care are one hundred and fifty-six missionaries, and one hundred and 
eighty-three schools, hospitals, and dispensaries. 



332 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

In 1 88 1 a fund was established to aid students in preparing for 
medical mission work, and twenty-two female physicians are now in the 
field and five in college. No part of " women's work for women" is 
more full of promise and interest than this. The power of relieving 
suffering has unlocked many a fast-closed door, — and how easy then to 
follow with the greater blessings of the gospel ! 

In March, 1872, the plan was adopted of having Presbyterial organi- 
zations. The call to thus unite our forces and deepen and widen our 
influence was sent forth by the society in Philadelphia. 

There was no response to this call from individuals and auxiliaries 
in Huntingdon Presbytery until November II, 1875, when a meeting 
was called and held in Lewistown, and eight societies, previously formed 
in the different congregations, were represented. Then and there the 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of Huntingdon Presbytery was 
regularly organized and took its name and place, entering with the great 
company of women the " open door set before them." 

The first annual meeting of this Presbyterial Society was held in 
Hollidaysburg, March 31, 1876. Fourteen auxiliaries were there repre- 
sented, and eight hundred and twelve dollars and twenty cents reported 
as cast into the treasury. At the twentieth annual meeting in March, 
1895, the treasurer reported eighty-eight contributing organizations, in- 
cluding some Sabbath-schools and Christian Endeavor Societies, and 
three thousand four hundred and thirty-eight dollars and forty-four cents 
as the offering for 1894, the total amount given in these twenty years 
being sixty thousand three hundred and eighty-four dollars and sixty- 
four cents. 

As we contrast the report with the day of small things, as at the 
beginning, we must see that our united effort has had the divine favor 
and increase. 

Auxiliaries and bands in the churches compose the Presbyterial 
Society, and its growth, power, and influence are just in proportion as 
these are kept in spiritual health, growing in zeal and missionary knowl- 
edge, and overflowing with tithes and offerings. Helpful to this end are 
the monthly meetings held for prayer and praise, the study of the missions, 
and the bringing of willing offerings. And the publications of the society 
— viz.. Woman's Work for Woman, and Over Sea and Land, with the 
many leaflets — are full of the information needed to keep the heart 
aglow with zeal and interest in the advancing kingdom of Christ. 

Four missionaries are assigned to the care of this Presbyterial Society. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 333 

In Japan, India, Persia, and South America they are holding forth the 
word of hfe. Between them and the society a pleasant and profitable 
correspondence is carried on. Their support comes first from the amount 
given each year. The remainder is used for scholarships in mission 
schools and for the general work of the Board. 

The Huntingdon Presbyterial Society is one of fifty-four composing 
the parent society in Philadelphia. In all its great and increasing work 
and responsibility, we by our pledges and promises are co-workers, part- 
ners, and helpers in Christ Jesus. Each year the call comes for an added 
sum for special work. There has always been a willing response, so that 
we have now solid investments in hospitals, in school buildings, and in 
comfortable homes for the laborers in the vineyard. Streams of blessing 
are flowing from them, on and on forever, — only another proof that " It 
is more blessed to give than to receive." 

God has and is calling his redeemed daughters to rescue and save 
these millions of wives, mothers, and children, and through them the great 
heathen world. He has given to them this special work to do for him, 
for no other human agency can do it, seeing that these secluded, impris- 
oned ones cannot share in the public means of grace. 

These women are " the oppressed ones, who have no comforter ; on 
the side of the oppressor is power, but they have no comforter." " He 
that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key," has opened, in this his 
own good time, these fast-closed doors and hearts, that privileged women 
may enter and tell of him, "sent to heal the broken-hearted and preach 
deliverance to the captives," and of the Holy Spirit waiting to give them 
a name and a place among the children of " the God and Father of us 
all." 



THE WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF 
HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERY. 

MRS. N. D. ORBISON. 

The annual meeting at Altoona, March 6 and 7, 1895, of the 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society in the Presbytery of Huntingdon, 
closed two decades of work. 

The first movement to form such a society was at the suggestion of 
Mrs. J. W. White, of Milroy, and Miss Harshberger, afterwards Mrs. 



334 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Butler, in September, 1875. Mrs. White says, " At that time there was 
special interest centring in Miss Harshberger, who was preparing to go 
to China ; and it occurred to me that it might be utilized towards the 
desired end (a Presbyterial organization). So we wrote to several in- 
terested friends on the subject, Mrs. D. H. Barron and Mrs. David 
Wilson, of Port Royal, being among the number. The replies being 
encouraging, we forthwith issued a call for a meeting, to be held in con- 
nection with the public farewell to Miss Harshberger, in our church, in- 
viting all to come who were interested in either object of the meeting, 
and sending the circulars to local societies and other congregations through 
the pastor or personal friends, at least aiming in this way to reach every 
congregation in the Presbytery. A goodly number responded to the 
call, but we soon found that things were not ripe for action. At the 
suggestion of the Lewistown ladies, we agreed to hold a meeting later 
in the fall at that place. Prior to that meeting, two of the Lewistown 
ladies, Mrs. Elder and Mrs. Russell, came out to talk the matter over 
with me." 

On November 16, 1876, a few women met in the lecture-room of the 
Presbyterian Church in Lewistown, to consult as to the desirability of 
forming a Presbyterial organization. Societies had been formed auxiliary 
to the Woman's Board in Philadelphia, and delegates from eight societies 
appeared at this meeting. Huntingdon, Hollidaysburg, Milroy, Lewis- 
town, Birmingham, Port Royal, Arch Spring, Williamsburg, Bellefonte, 
and Tyrone were represented. Mrs. Cunningham, an officer of the 
Woman's Board in Philadelphia, was present to dii'ect and encourage. 
The report for 1878 says, " A few changes were made in the constitution 
to suit the circumstances ; chiefly one by which the duties of the presi- 
dent were modified, as it was evident that in so large a district she could 
not be expected to visit the congregations for the purpose of assisting 
to establish societies. It was decided that this duty should devolve as 
much as possible on the officers of societies already formed." 

Miss Stewart, reviewing the past in her annual letter read at the 
twentieth anniversary, says, " We tremblingly undertook this Presby- 
terial work, for we were not trained soldiers in this kind of public war- 
. fare, — not a bit brave were we, and not at all accomplished in parliamentary 
rules. Not all of us were ready to stand up for Jesus, in prayer and 
speaking, and to say from our hearts, — 

" Oh, use me. Lord, use even me, 
Just as thou wilt, and when, and where." 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 335 

The names of the first officers may be of interest : Mrs. White, of 
Milroy, was chosen president ;' treasurer, Mrs. Wilh'am Russell, of Lewis- 
town, since entered upon her heavenly home; recording secretary, Mrs. 
M. H. Wilson, of Bellefonte; corresponding secretary, Miss Annie Ir- 
vine, of Hollidaysburg; and seven vice-presidents. 

The first annual meeting of the society was held in Hollidaysburg, 
March 31, 1877. Delegates from twenty-five auxiliaries and six bands 
showed that we were not going to stand still. Miss Annie Irvine sent 
her resignation, and for the present the offices of recording and corre- 
sponding secretaries were combined, Mrs. M. H. Wilson bearing the 
burden and honor. Since then the meetings have been held in the fol- 
lowing places and order: Mifflin, 1878; Huntingdon, 1879; Altoona, 
Second Presbyterian Church, 1880; Tyrone, 1881; Lewistown, 1882; 
Port Royal, 1883; Clearfield, 1884; Altoona, First Presbyterian Church 
1885; HoUidaysburg, 1886; Bellefonte, 1887; Mifflin, 1888; Altoona, 
Second Presbyterian Church, 1889; Huntingdon, 1890; Tyrone, 1891 ; 
Lewistown, 1892; Philipsburg, 1893; Bedford, 1894; now, for the third 
time, in Altoona, Second Presbyterian Church, 1895. 

At the fourth annual meeting, in Huntingdon, the time of meeting 
was changed from the last week to the first week in March. Miss C. W. 
Stewart was then elected corresponding secretary. 

In 1883, at Port Royal, Mrs. Russell resigned as treasurer, and Mrs. 
William Dorris was chosen to fill her place. 

In 1888, at Mifflin, Mrs. Wilson, as recording secretary, gave, for the 
first time, a condensed report of auxiliaries and bands, which all regarded 
as a great improvement upon the old way. 

Our last annual meeting was held in the pleasant, pretty town of 
Bedford, June 7 and 8, 1894. Mrs. Orbison, our president since 1876, 
then sent her resignation, and Miss S. R. Lowrie was chosen in her 
place. Mrs. Dorris, our treasurer since 1883, resigned, and Miss S. D. 
Morrow, of Tyrone, was chosen to fill the office. Miss Sommerville 
was elected secretary of literature in place of Miss S. R. Lowrie. 

At these different meetings we have had the inspiring presence and 
words of missionaries from India, China, Japan, Persia, and Laos. Dr. 
Eliinwood, Dr. Irving, Dr. Gillespie, Mr. R. E. Speer, and Dr. Mitchell 
(since rested from his labors), all connected with our Foreign Board, 
have been present and helped and cheered us greatly. Likewise 
pastors of some of our churches have addressed our meetings and 
helped us onward, — viz., Dr. Hollifield, Dr. Barron, Dr. Duffield, Rev. 



336 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Hays, and Dr. Wilson. The three latter have since " fallen asleep in 
Jesus." 

These meetings have been fruitful in many blessings. We have been 
brought to know intimately and appreciate many " Daughters of the 
King" in all our churches, to whom we were once perfect strangers, and 
to be helpful to each other in " the King's business." We have been 
brought into deeper sympathy with the far-distant laborers and their 
work, as at almost every meeting we have met so many face to face, and 
have heard them plead tenderly for the spot where they lift up the stand- 
ard of the cross. Sacred, pleasant memories are now connected with 
those places of meeting, and we have learned to pray for all our churches 
as we never did before. 

The amount given in these years, including regular monthly pledges, 
thank-offerings for special objects, and some legacies, has been fifty-six 
thousand nine hundred and forty-seven dollars and fifteen cents. The 
treasurer reports for the past year (including the silver offering of five 
hundred and fifty-eight dollars and eighty-three cents) three thousand 
four hundred and thirty-eight dollars and forty-nine cents, which makes 
the sum total, at this our twentieth annual meeting, sixty thousand three 
hundred and eighty-five dollars and sixty-four cents. Not to boast do 
we make this record, but to call forth praise to our Father in heaven, 
who gave us the power and willingness to consecrate this money to his 
service, and to move us to earnest prayer that the divine increase may 
follow on and on forever, thus giving glory to our Redeemer and joy to 
his heart in souls saved " out of every kindred and tongue and people 
and nation." 

But when we go back to search for the very beginning of this society, 
we find that God had been working in the hearts of Christian women in 
quiet places, and stirring them up to thought and prayer. One of the 
most devoted friends of missions, Miss Susan Campbell, of Arch Spring, 
had been an invalid for many years, unable to leave her couch. But 
from her quiet chamber went up prayers day and night for missions and 
missionaries. Making herself acquainted with the names of all our 
workers in heathen lands, she brought them in prayer constantly to God. 
It was to her that the thought came, " Would that the women of our 
whole Presbytery might band together to work and pray for mis- 
sions." 

She herself relates, in reply to a letter asking for iiiformation, " I -do 
not know that I had any direct influence in forming our Woman's Presby- 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 337 

terial Foreign Missionary Society. Memory runs back to the '70's and 
'6o's, when I lay, an almost helpless invalid, on a cot in a corner of the 
room in which I now write. How the infinite Redeemer upheld with 
his everlasting arms, and drew out my inmost soul in stated pleadings 
that he might, throughout this wide, wide world, * see of the travail of 
his soul and be satisfied,' was set forth in two articles from my cot, ' My 
Missionary Day,' and ' How I Became Interested in Foreign Missions,' 
which were published by the mother society of Philadelphia, copied into 
missionary magazines, and widely circulated. These articles, I believe, 
impressed many, who long since have forgotten how their first drawings 
were induced. 

" Fully one year prior to the formation of our Presbyterial society in 
1875, I addressed a few Hnes on the subject to the societies of Hunting- 
don, Bellefonte, and Lewistown. What influence these letters may have 
had in forming the society I do not now recall. Most likely God moved 
the hearts of several ladies in the Presbytery simultaneously, and so the 
society was organized. I recall my thrill of joy when, in the autumn of 
1875, an item in the Presbyterian told of the ladies of Philadelphia moving 
in world-wide evangelization, taking women of dark heathen lands for 
their special work. How eagerly I watched for the issue of the first 
copy of Woman's Work for Woman ! Have read it prayerfully from 
cover to cover ever since. Its issue of my article, ' My Missionary Day,' 
suggested, so the late Mrs. Haines wrote me, the Sabbath evening con- 
cert of prayer." 

Women had their missionary societies in all the years of the past. 
Meeting weekly, they sewed and prayed, a few of the faithful ones always ;. 
and we may believe that in the book of God's remembrance their self- 
denying gifts and prayers are written, accepted, and never forgotten, — 
prayers perhaps answered in these latter years, when in God's providence 
the nations that have so long sat in darkness begin to see the light. But,, 
in this day of quickened intelligence and improved methods, women 
have been found ready to welcome the new plans, — the monthly meeting, 
regular contributions, and missionary literature so full of interest. And 
the result shows a vastly increased scale of giving and working. 

All honor to the faithful bands in our older churches which for so 
many years have labored and prayed, and from which often have come 
gifts for missions that put to shame the regular church contributions. 
For example, a mere handful of devoted women in the Pine Grove 
Church, a small and by no means rich congregation, have sent their 



338 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

yearly gift, a large sum proportionately, the money earned for the most 
part by the labor of their hands. 

When a Presbyterial society came to be formed, the difficulties expe- 
rienced may be more easily understood if we remember that at that time 
the abihty and fitness of women for such affairs had not been proved 
nor even thought of. Presbyterian women had been too well instructed 
in Bible teaching to desire to undertake work which might lead them 
away from the already full and wide field of usefulness so plainly laid 
out for them by Infinite Wisdom ; they must be well convinced that, in 
attempting " woman's work for woman" in dark heathen lands, they 
were in sympathy with their Lord and Master. Then, too, the organizing 
and conducting public meetings with the help of parliamentary rules 
was no light task to those wholly untrained in such matters. But, going 
on, simply trusting the Divine Helper, and endeavoring to carry out his 
commands in his own way, the weak were made strong and the ignorant 
instructed. Resisting the strong current felt at one time towards break- 
ing away from old boundaries to give our own interpretation to Bible 
teaching, the women of this Presbytery have aimed to carry on their 
meetings and all their work according to the wholesome and decent order 
of our own church, and at this day see no cause to regret such a stand. 

Twenty years have seen remarkable answers to the volume of united 
prayer offered monthly, weekly, and daily by Christian women for the 
■ conversion of the world and for the sending forth laborers into the har- 
vest. Highways into the great heathen world have been opening and an 
increasing number of workers raised up. From our own Presbytery 
have gone Rev. G. A. and Mrs. Landis, to South America ; to India, Rev. 
J. H. Orbison, M.D., and his sister, Miss Pendleton, Rev. J. M. Goheen 
and Mrs. Goheen, Miss McGinness and Miss Bird, now Mrs. Henry 
Forman ; to China, Mrs. John Butler and Miss Cunningham ; to Japan, 
Miss Emma Hays, for a time. Mr. Robert E. Speer, secretary of the 
Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church, is a son of the 
Presbytery. 

Besides the money sent by the Presbyterial Society to the general 
fund yearly, three or four lady missionaries have been supported, — at 
the present time. Miss Porter in Japan, Mrs. Henry Forman in India, 
Mrs. Landis in South America, and Mrs. Vanneman in Persia. 

A glance backward over these twenty years will reveal the same little 
band of united, congenial fellow-workers, who have served as officers 
from the beginning: Miss C. W. Stewart, Mrs. W. H. Woods, Mrs. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 339 

Dorris, Miss Annie Irvine, Mrs. Barron, Mrs. M. H. Wilson, Mrs. Ross, 
Mrs. Orbison, with later acquisitions. But we miss the sweet, gentle, 
capable face of Mrs. Russell, treasurer for so long. And of those who 
loved the cause we treasure the memory of Mrs. Goheen, Miss Maggie 
Kelly, and her sister, Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Charlotte Irvine, and Mrs. 
Walker Woods. 

In Miss Stewart's letter for 1895 she says, " Each year brings to us 
from our parent society calls to aid in some special work or building. 
The societies and bands who have answered these calls, even by small 
sums, have now solid investments in mission homes, schools, hospitals, 
and churches in Persia, Africa, San Francisco, India, Lakason in Siam, 
China, and Japan. All these buildings are light-houses amid the sur- 
rounding gloom, sending their beams far and wide, and calling to every 
passer-by, ' Come to the Light ; it is shining for thee.' " 



WOMAN'S HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE 
PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 

President. — Miss Annie M. Irvine, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. 

Vice-Presidents. — Mrs. Wm. Dorris, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; Mrs. 
Robert McMeen, Mifflintown, Pennsylvania ; Mrs. John Russell, Philips- 
burg, Pennsylvania ; Mrs. Wm. McClay, Belleville, Pennsylvania; Mrs. 
W. H. Schuyler, Everett, Pennsylvania; Mrs. D. H. Campbell, Mount 
Union, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Lucy Thompson, Spruce Creek, Pennsyl- 
vania; Mrs. J. W. Bain, Altoona, Pennsylvania ; Mrs. R. A. McKinley, 
Clearfield, Pennsylvania ; Mrs. H. L. Book, Waterloo, Pennsylvania ; 
Miss S. D. Morrow, Tyrone, Pennsylvania ; Miss Mira Humes, Belle- 
fonte, Pennsylvania ; Mrs. E. F. Johnston, Vice-President at Large. 

Vice-President for Bands. — Mrs. A. S. Landis, Hollidaysburg, Penn- 
sylvania. 

Recordiiig Secretary. — Mrs. A. M. Laporte, Tyrone, Pennsylvania. 

Corresponding Secretary. — Mrs. W. B. Miller, Altoona, Pennsylvania. 

Secretaries for Freednien. — Mrs. D. K. Freeman and Mrs. H. G. 
Fisher, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. 

Secretary for Sabbath-Schools. — Mrs. M. W. Thompson, Altoona, 
Pennsylvania. 



34© THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Secretary for Literahire. — Mrs. J. A. Knight, Lewistown, Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Treas7trer. — Mrs. J. M. Bailey, Third and Penn Streets, Huntingdon,. 
Pennsylvania. 



WOMAN'S WORK IN HOME MISSIONS. 

BY MRS. JULIA A. DORRIS. 
" Go up and possess the land which I have given you." 

Home missions, as carried on in the present day, would have been^, 
to the churches organized in this Presbytery early in the present cen- 
tury, a veritable foreign work, for in the midst of the wilderness as they 
themselves were, separated by long distances, and amid the incon- 
veniences of a country but partially opened, their main efforts were 
necessarily directed towards self-support ; but as they grew stronger, 
while still struggling for their own maintenance, they reached out help- 
ing hands to the feebler churches in their vicinity, or throughout the 
Presbytery, that needed aid. 

The mission of the church of Christ, however, is " to minister, and 
not to be ministered unto," and therefore we soon find these congre- 
gations obeying the injunction of the General Assembly, which at its^ 
first meeting, in 1789, unanimously resolved "To send forth mission- 
aries, well qualified, to be employed in mission work on our frontiers, for 
the purpose of organizing churches, administering ordinances, ordaining- 
elders, collecting information concerning the state of religion in those 
parts, and proposing the best means of establishing a gospel ministry 
among the people. And in order to provide means for defraying the 
necessary expenses of the mission, it is strictly enjoined on the several. 
Presbyteries to have collections made during the present year, in the 
several congregations under our care, and forwarded to Isaac Snowden,. 
Esq., Treasurer of the General Assembly, with all convenient speed." 

The collection amounted to eighty pounds twelve shillings and ten- 
pence. The usual salary allowed a missionary was four hundred dollars 
per annum, and in a single instance fifty dollars was granted to a Rev. 
Mr. Ker, for the loss of his horse on a missionary tour in the frontier 
parts of New York and Pennsylvania. " Their salaries were small, their 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 34I 

difficulties and dangers great, their labors and trials abundant ; but what- 
ever there is of public taste, culture, and conscience in the nation to- 
day, and love of order and law, is chiefly due to the self-denying toils of 
these home missionary workers." 

It is not the province of this article to trace the work of home 
missions, as conducted, first by the original Presbytery, then by the old 
Synod, followed by the General Assembly organized in 1789, then by the 
"Committee of Missions" from 1802, and by "The Board of Missions," 
from 1 8 16, together with the "Presbyterian Committee of Home 
Missions," organized in 1861, and since the Reunion of 1870, by "The 
Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
States of America;" but to gather up as far as it can be done the part 
taken by the ivoinen of the church in this important department of its 
work. 

We know that they stood side by side with the fathers, brothers, and 
husbands of those early days, counselling, aiding, and encouraging them 
in their trials and privations, sharing their joys and sorrows ; but their 
work was so identified with that of the men, in upbuilding their own 
places of worship and spreading the gospel of salvation to others, that 
no records have been kept of their distinctive share in it. 

The history, then, cannot be otherwise than fragmentary, as collected 
from the lips of those who have heard it from the mothers and grand- 
mothers of past generations, and, except in a few instances, the dates are 
uncertain, until we come to the organized work of the present day, 
which it has been deemed best to record in this memorial volume, that 
there may be no future uncertainty as to events and dates, and especially 
as to the causes and influences that led up to this new and enlarged form 
of work. 

The trials and privations of the missionary on the frontier, as it was 
then called, although often within their own bounds, have ever appealed 
to the feminine heart, so the sewing societies of the church, founded by 
Dorcas, while making " coats and garments" for the poor at their doors, 
met also at the homes of the members to make quilts, comfortables and 
clothing to fill boxes for the " domestic missionary," to eke out the 
slender pittance which the Board of Domestic Missions granted for his 
self-denying and laborious work. 

As the members of the congregations prospered and increased in 
worldly goods, the log " meeting-houses" were displaced for more pre- 
tentious houses of worship, and here again the hands and needles of the 



342 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

women were busied in preparing fancy and useful articles for sale in fairs 
and bazaars, for providing carpets and pulpit furniture, or Venetian 
blinds, for the edifice, and sometimes for a steeple or bell, according to 
their wealth or ambition. 

Female Bible, Tract, and Missionary Societies were formed, and where 
the records have been preserved we find men, as well as women, named 
as contributors, which it would not be amiss for the churches of our day 
to adopt, for, quoting Mrs. C. E. Walker, who was Secretary of the 
Woman's Executive Committee of Home Missions, " We do not want 
the work to be largely woman's but Christian work ; men and women 
equally bearing their own share in it." 

Mrs. J. C. Barr, who was Miss Eliza Cresswell, of Alexandria, speak- 
ing of the early work in that church, writes recently, " I have a book of 
Grandmother Gemmill's, who was Treasurer of a Missionary Society, 
which I have been told was a Foreign Society, dating from 1825 to 1835. 
The yearly subscription was fifty cents. Among the names of regular 
contributors I find Mrs. Peebles, Mrs. Dorris, Mary Allison, Mary Dor- 
sey, Ellen Dorsey, all paid up to 1831. The following names grouped 
together, marked paid, in 1828, I infer may all be Huntingdon people: 
Benjamin Miller, Mrs. Martha McConnell, John Peebles, Eliza Hender- 
son, Mary Allison, James M. Bell, Eleanor Orbison, Benjamin Morgan. 
In this group the first and last named each contributed one dollar. The 
regular contributors seem to have ceased in 1838, and probably a society 
was organized in Huntingdon about that time. In 1849 a Female Bible 
Society was organized in the Church of Alexandria, which did efficient 
work for several years. Petersburg and Shaver's Creek were included in 
the bounds of the Alexandria Church in the early days, and some of the 
families contributed through that society. I do not think as churches 
they did anything in their own bounds." 

The names given by Mrs. Barr were all members of the Huntingdon 
congregation, and from the recollections of some of the older ladies of 
that church, which were noted down in 1880 by the members of the 
Synodical Committee of Home Missions, the date of the Missionary 
Society there was fixed at about 1825, when the Rev. John Peebles be- 
came the pastor of the churches of Huntingdon and Hart's Log, and 
boxes for missionaries were made up and packed at his house; "his car- 
pets it is said being almost worn out by these frequent gatherings of 
women." One of these ladies, Mrs. William P. Orbison, remembei'ed 
well that the society of which her elder sister was a member helped to 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 343 

sustain missionaries in the bounds of the Presbytery, and she herself 
while visiting a married sister residing in Alexandria became a member 
there of the little girls' society that educated two Indian boys, to whom 
they were allowed to give English names. Mrs. William McMurtrie, one 
of the older members of the Huntingdon Church, a grand-daughter of 
John Whittaker, an elder of the early days, has in her possession a sub- 
scription book of 1833, from which the following pledge is copied: 

" We the undersigned, impressed with a sense of the importance of the 
general diffusion of gospel light, do engage to pay annually, so long as 
we shall conceive it to be our duty, the sum respectively annexed to our 
names, for the support of Mr. William Reed (or such other individual as 
the Huntingdon Presbytery shall choose) as a missionary among the 
heathen." John Peebles leads the list of subscribers, and of one hun- 
dred and thirty-one signatures, eighty-three are women (one being the 
old colored janitress, Mary Gibson, twenty-five cents); and one subscrip- 
tion, " The Female Benevolent Society," five dollars ; " A widow's mite," 
twelve and one-half cents ; " A female to missions," two dollars and 
ninety-six cents; the whole amounting to something over ninety dollars, 
for the year 1833. In 1835 the entries cease, and whether the sub- 
scribers no longer " conceived it to be their duty" to continue their gifts, 
or if the collector failed to record them, is not stated. (Rev. William 
Reed was one of three young men licensed to preach by the Presbytery 
of Huntingdon, and reared within its bounds, who offered themselves as 
foreign missionaries, — Reed, Fleming, and Hope. Mr. Fleming was 
ordained as a missionary among the " Creek Indians, West of the Missis- 
sippi," under the care of the American Board. Mr. Reed was appointed 
to Northern India from the Presbytery, one of the first missionaries 
under the care of the Western Foreign Missionary Society, but died in 
the first year of his missionary labors, 1835.*) 

Of the Bellefonte Church, Mrs. William P. Wilson, daughter of Rev. 
James Linn, pastor of the church, says, "In 182 1 we find a record of 
seventeen dollars and fifty cents given by ' The Woman's Missionary So- 
ciety,' through Mrs. Eliza Dobbins. In later times the interest has been 
kept up by sewing societies, packing of boxes, etc. Before the organi- 
zation of our Home Missionary Society, we for many years devoted a 
month in the fall to packing a 'box.' These boxes were always valuable, 
sometimes amounting to between two and three hundred dollars." . 

* Gibson's " History of the Presbytery of Huntingdon," pages I0I-2, 112, 114. 



344 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Miss Annie Irvine, of Hollidaysburg, daughter of Mrs. Charlotte 
Irvine, one of the earnest workers in the missionary work of that 
church, writes, "The first home mission work done here by the women, 
as far as I can learn, was a box sent to Dr. Speer, at Hudson, Wisconsin, 
an 1861, and there has been one sent every year since." 

These are a few instances of work such as was done doubtless in 
other churches of the Presbytery, as we know in the latter days many 
€ven of the weaker churches, as Pine Grove, Bald Eagle, Shade Gap, etC;, 
contributed help in this way towards making the families of " the do- 
mestic missionary" more comfortable ; and if a thorough canvas could 
be made, many facts in regard to it might be gleaned that would be 
worthy of record. As far as we have knowledge, the men, too, responded 
to the appeals of the women, and contributed generously to the " box" 
work. 

The aid given, even in this desultory way, was appreciated, and grate- 
fully acknowledged by the Home Mission Board and the General 
Assembly, but with the changed condition of affairs, as the country 
developed, through immigration and the railroads opening up the great 
West, more means and new methods of administration became impera- 
tive. This vast army that landed annually upon our shores, bringing 
with them "foreign faiths and customs," must be met not only with the 
preacher of the gospel, but by the missionary teacher and the Christian 
school, that they might thus be able to reach the children, and through 
them the parents. Trans-continental railways had brought within reach 
the Mexicans and Alaskans, that had come to us with newly acquired 
territory, and they, with the Mormons and Indians and Mountain whites 
of the South, the missionaries found could not be influenced by the simple 
preaching of the word, and asked for teachers and schools to prepare the 
way before them, as they could penetrate where the minister was barred out 
by the prejudice of the people. The women of the church were, therefore, 
called upon by the Board of Home Missions and the General Assembly 
" to take up the school work, and act as pioneers to our regular home 
missionaries;" the General Assembly of 1875 expressing "its clear 
judgment that home evangelization and the conversion of the heathen 
are one and the same work in the Lord, and therefore to be alike 
aided and promoted by all the godly women of the church of Christ;" 
and hoped "that the women of the church would add to their work of 
supplying missionaries with boxes the supplying of these different classes 
of people with schools and teachers." 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 345 

They also " recommended a central organization to be exclusively 
devoted to woman's work for home missions, and the Assembly of 1876 
authorized the Synods to appoint committees of women to co-operate 
with the Home Board in bringing this about." 

"In response to this advice the Synod of Pittsburg appointed such 
a committee, consisting of one lady for each Presbytery. The other 
Synods referred to the Assembly's recommendation, but took no action." 
The brethren were not sure it was wise to commit such trusts to women's 
hands, and, moreover, did not know whom to appoint, and so did 
nothing. 

In 1878 the General Assembly recommended, "That pastors. Pres- 
byteries, and Synods make special effort to present to the women of 
our church, by sermons or otherwise, the principles and history of 
these organizations, and that effort be made to secure harmony of 
method," etc. They also recommended " that the committees on home 
missions in their respective Presbyteries and Synods be instructed to 
promote by all means in their power this work of the women in its 
home mission cause." As early as the fall of 1875 the Synod of 
Harrisburg recommended "to the Presbyteries and churches that they 
encourage the formation of women's home missionary societies, and 
that a committee be appointed to nominate annually a committee of 
ladies to take charge of the preliminary organization," but Synod ad- 
journed without appointing such committee. *' Although this action 
was taken in 1875, and reiterated in much the same terms in 1876, yet 
no appointment of ladies was made until 1878, when the Presbytery 
of Carlisle appointed two to be their part of a synodical committee." 

The next year, 1879, the Synod of Harrisburg appointed a full com- 
mittee, consisting of two ladies from each of its four Presbyteries (Carlisle, 
Huntingdon, Northumberland, and Wellsboro'). The Synod of Erie also 
appointed its committee this year (1879), and the Synod of Philadelphia 
followed their example the next year, so that in 1880 there was a com- 
plete organization throughout the State of Pennsylvania. 

The work done by the women of the North in connection with the 
Christian and Sanitary Commissions during our civil war had developed 
much latent talent, and demonstrated the advantage of systematic effort, 
and also their abihty in organizing and managing Soldiers' Aid and 
other societies, to meet the requirements of those times, and so there 
were women being trained and fitted to act in the emergencies of the 
church as well as the state. 



346 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

" The Ladies' Board of Missions of New York" had been at work 
for several years, both for home and foreign missions, having entered 
New Mexico with the first missionary of our church in 1866; "The 
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church" had 
been working since 1870, drawing its leaders largely from those women 
who were interested in the home work, many of whom had been con- 
tributing to foreign missions through the channels of " The Woman's 
Union Missionary Society," founded by Mrs. Doremus. 

Presbyterian women, having been educated according to a strict and 
literal interpretation of Paul as to their" keeping silence" in the churches, 
were slow to take any steps that would lay them open to the charge of 
" running" without being " sent," and feared lest they might lay t?ieir 
hands upon the ark without a warrant. But, while loyal and obedient, 
they have also been trained to a conscientious performance of duty, and, 
when sure that the command to " go forward" is meant for them, they ^^. 

There were women, therefore, whose " hearts were stirred up," ready 
to respond to the calls of the Home Mission Board, the General As- 
sembly, and their Synods, as the children of Israel to Joshua, " All that 
thou commandest us, we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we 
will go." 

It was during the session of the General Assembly of 1878, at Pitts- 
burg, that the first convention of ladies especially intersted in home 
missions was held in the lecture-room of the First Presbyterian Church. 
The committee of ladies already appointed by the Synod of Pittsburg 
took an active part in this convention, and it prepared the way for the 
organization of " The Woman's Executive Committee of Home Missions 
of the Presbyterian Church," which has co-operated with the Board of 
Home Missions so harmoniously ever since. 

Space cannot be taken to enumerate the steps that finally resulted in 
the organization of this committee on December 12, 1878, but it has 
been well told by Mrs. S. F. Scovel, one of the original committee from 
Pittsburg Synod, in a paper which ought to have a place among the 
archives of the Presbyterian Church. 

(For some of the information given here in regard to the recom- 
mendations and actions of Synods indebtedness is acknowledged to 
Mrs. George Norcross, of Carlisle, extracts being taken from the histori- 
cal paper prepared and read by her at Harrisburg, October 27, 1892, at 
the tenth annual meeting of the Woman's Synodical Society of Home 
Missions for the Synod of Pennsylvania.) 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 347 

The following official notification was sent to the members of the 
committee appointed for the Presbytery of Huntingdon : 

" Harrisburg, Oct. 27, 1879. 
" Mrs. Wm. Dorris, — You were appointed, with Mrs. W. P. Wilson, of Bellefonte, by the 
Synod of Harrisburg, last week in session at Williamsport, to represent the Presbytery of 
Huntingdon on the Woman's Committee for Home Missions of the Synod of Harrisburg. 
The other members of the committee are Mrs. Geo. Norcross, Carlisle ; Mrs. J. C. Caldwell, 
Chambersburg ; Mrs. W. C. Lawson, Milton; Mrs. S. A. Proctor, Lewisburg; Mrs. Henry 
Miner, Elkland; Miss F. A. Dyer, Covington. 

" Yours truly, 

" T. H. Robinson, 

" Staled Clerk." 

Owing to various causes, some of the ladies appointed by the Synod 
declined to serve ; the remaining ones of the number were frequently 
strangers to each other, and living too far apart to meet together, con- 
ference and planning how to start to work had to be done by pen. 

Finally, after much consultation and perplexity as to the best way, 
" the committee decided to act upon a recommendation of Synod, that 
' conventions be held on this subject in our several Presbyteries.' " Ac- 
cordingly such a convention was called for the Presbytery of Carlisle, 
to meet at Chambersburg on February 25, 1880, to be addressed by Dr. 
Sheldon Jackson, the great champion for home missions, and Mrs. 
F. E. H, Haines, Corresponding Secretary of the Woman's Executive 
Committee of Home Missions, — and one for the Presbytery of Hunt- 
ingdon on February 26 and 27 in the town of Huntingdon. The 
way was not opened at that time to meet in the other Presbyteries, — 
Northumberland and Wellsboro'. 

A call was issued February 9, 1 880, under the auspices of the Woman's 
Committee of Home Missions appointed by the Synod of Harrisburg, 
signed by the Rev. A. Nelson Hollifield, pastor of the Huntingdon 
Church, and sent to every church in the Presbytery of Huntingdon, 
stating that a convention in the interest of home missions would be 
held at Huntingdon February 26 and 27, asking them to be repre- 
sented by the pastor and three delegates, two of these being women. 
There was a large attendance, and this convention did much to arouse a 
new interest in the cause. 

Dr. Jackson spoke at all of the sessions, and Mrs. Haines met with 
the ladies and gave them information about their special department of 
the work, which was the support of schools and missionary teachers, 
building chapels, etc. 



348 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Mrs. Pratt, of the Indian Training School at Carhsle, also gave an 
interesting talk upon their work. Mrs. George Norcross (sister of Dr. 
Sheldon Jackson) and Mrs. J. C. Caldwell, members of the Synodical 
Committee, attended the convention and took part in the ladies' meeting, 
which was held before the public meeting in the morning. 

In the afternoon Dr. Jackson addressed the convention upon 
Woman's Work. At the close of his address, upon motion of Rev. 
A. N. Hollifield, — unanimously adopted, — the chair appointed the fol- 
lowing ladies as a committee to secure Presbyterial action, etc. : Presi- 
dent, Mrs. Wm. Dorris, Huntingdon ; Secretary, Mrs. J. M. Bailey, 
Huntingdon; Mrs. Dr. Wilson, HoUidaysburg ; Miss Eliza Cresswell, 
Alexandria ; Miss Mila Porter, Graysville ; Mrs. Annie G. Patterson, 
Lewistown ; Mrs. N. C. Barclay, Altoona ; Miss Hattie Browne, Newton 
Hamilton. 

Mrs. Haines called the members of the Synodical Committee together 
at this time, and, although few in number, an organization was effected 
by electing Mrs. George Norcross president, and Miss F. A. Dyer, of 
Covington, secretary. At this meeting Mrs. John M. Bailey, of Hunt- 
ingdon, who had assisted in the preparations for the convention, was 
elected to fill the vacancy on the committee for the Presbytery of Hunt- 
ingdon, Mrs. William P. Wilson, of Bellefonte, having declined the 
appointment by the Synod. As no uniform plan of action could be 
arranged, it was thought best that in each Presbytery the members of 
the committee should work according to their best judgment, and, where 
successful, communicate the plan to others. 

A report was sent October 22, 1880, to the Synod, in session at 
Chambersburg, by the synodical secretary, showing some advance had 
been made in organization and general interest during the past eight 
months, with a request for the enlargement of the committee. The 
report was approved and the committee increased to sixteen members, 
four from each Presbytery. Those appointed for the Presbytery of Hunt- 
ingdon, — Mrs. William Dorris, Huntingdon; Mrs. John M. Bailey, 
Huntingdon ; Miss Eliza G. Cresswell, Alexandria ; Mrs. S. M. Wood- 
cock, Altoona. 

The first efforts of the committee were directed towards spreading 
information through the sixty-seven churches of the Presbytery, as pre- 
paratory to the organization of societies and bands among the women 
and young people. To this end appeals were made, first to the pastors, 
and then to the women of the churches, as soon as names could be obtained 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 349 

with whom to open up correspondence, asking them to distribute leaflets 
and mite-boxes, furnished freely by the Woman's Executive Committee, 
and urging that subscriptions be obtained, wherever possible, to Tlie 
Rocky Mountain Presbyterian, edited by Dr, Jackson, at Denver, Colo- 
rado. Instructions as to the general work were given, and special direc- 
tions as to organizing societies and conducting meetings, etc., and where 
to apply for help or information. 

Many ministers replied with encouraging words, and offering their 
assistance, and many women were found waiting and anxious to be shown 
what to do. Others were indifferent, and some " doubted," wondering 
" whereunto this would grow," and feared lest woman's work for foreign 
missions would suffer in consequence. There were difficulties to be 
overcome and objections to be met, but the work was not " woman's," 
but God's, tJirougli ivoman, and it went forward. 

At the first meeting of the Presbytery, April, 1 880, in Bellefonte, after 
the convention held at Huntingdon the preceding February, a paper 
was offered by the Rev. A. N. HoUifield, stating the action of the con- 
vention, and naming the members appointed at that time, as a Presby- 
terial committee, " to effect the organization of auxiliary societies in our 
bounds," and " be it Resolved, that we cordially recommend the said com- 
mittee to our churches." 

This resolution called forth considerable discussion and some oppo- 
sition, but was bravely defended by earnest friends of the cause, and the 
paper was finally adopted. 

The progress made in organization can be shown best by the follow- 
ing extracts from the report of the Sjmodical Committee, made one 
year after, to the Presbytery at their meeting in April, 1881 : 

" Believing that the members of the Presbytery of Huntingdon are not indifferent to any 
work of the Master carried on within their own bounds, and encouraged by the resolution of 
the Synod of 1880, page 15 of the 'minutes,' 'that we will endeavor to help those women 
who labor with us in the Lord, and encourage and assist them in organizing Home Misssionary 
Societies and Bands in all our congregations,' we, the members of ' The Woman's Synodical 
Committee on Home Missions,' who have the honor to represent the Presbytery of Hunt- 
ingdon on this committee, venture to intrude upon your time and patience with a report of our 
work in this department during the past year. In March, 1880, soon after our appointment by 
the Synod of Ilarrisburg, we made our first report to the ' Woman's Executive Committee,' 
showing but three societies, and one band, auxiliary to them. These, with their contributions, 
were from the following churches : 

"Alexandria, organized March 4, 1876: to Woman's Executive Committee, J50; box to 
missionary, $103.28 ; Huntingdon, organized June 25,1879: cash, $38; box, $76,10; Hunt- 
ingdon Band, Lilies of the Valley, contributed to box ; Lewistown, organized March 31, 1880; 



350 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

special donation from the Misses Stewart, Colerain Forge, ^5 ; making a total of cash, ^93 ; 
boxes to home missionaries, Ji 79.38; total to both, $272.38. (The Lewistown society was 
organized through the efforts of Mrs. A. Granville Patterson, of Lewistown, a member of the 
committee appointed by the convention at Huntingdon in February, 1880.) 

" Our second annual report to the Woman's Executive Committee, for the year ending 
March, 1881, shows fourteen organizations, a gain of ten during the year; the greater number 
have been but recently organized, and nine only report contributions. Five churches contrib- 
uted without organization, and a special gift by the Misses Stewart of Colerain Forge. 

" Receipts in cash, $520.63; value of boxes, $536.88; total, $1057.51, a gain of $785.13, 
and ten more organized societies. 

" (Signed by the committee,) 

" Mrs. William Dorris, 
" Mrs. John M. Bailey, 
" Mrs. S. M. Woodcock, 
" Miss E. G. Cresswell." 

At the twelfth annual meeting of the Synod at Clearfield, October, 
1 88 1, which proved to be its last session, — as its ofificial existence ended 
January 2, 1882, — the Home Mission Committee was continued, and the 
same ladies were appointed to represent this Presbytery, Miss E. G. 
Cresswell being then Mrs. J. C. Barr, of Alexandria. The third report, 
for the year ending March 31, 1882, showed women's societies, thirteen; 
bands, six ; total, nineteeen, a gain of five; cash, six hundred and thirty- 
five dollars and five cents ; boxes to home missionaries, schools, etc., 
seven hundred and fifty-one dollars and sixty cents ; total, one thousand 
three hundred and eighty-six dollars and sixty-five cents. Eight churches 
without societies contributed through mite-boxes. Fourth report, March, 
1883: auxiliaries, twenty-five; churches contributing without societies, 
eight ; cash, six hundred and fifty-two dollars and seven cents ; boxes, 
seven hundred and one dollars and ninety-four cents ; total, one thousand 
three hundred and fifty-four dollars and one cent. 

By the action of the Synod of Pennsylvania, convened at Harrisburg, 
October 19, 1882, seventy-five ladies were appointed as a committee, rep- 
resenting the twenty-two Presbyteries of the Synod, " to have in charge 
the interests of woman's home mission work within their several Presby- 
teries," and also recommended that this committee meet at Carlisle, in 
connection with the meeting of the Woman's Home Missionary Society 
of the Presbytery of Carlisle, on the 8th and 9th of November following. 
In response to this call a large company came together from the recently- 
consolidated Synods of Erie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburg, 
and organized as a " Synodical Committee for Home Missions of the 
Synod of Pennsylvania," electing as their ofificers, Mrs. S. S. Bryan, 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 35 I 

chairman; Mrs. Thomas McCauley, vice-chairman; Miss F. A. Dyer, 
corresponding secretary ; Miss E. S. Dickey, recording secretary. 

The ladies appointed for the Presbytery of Huntingdon by the recon- 
structed Synod were the members of the committee that had been acting 
under appointment from the late Synod of Harrisburg, now as members 
of the " Synodical Committee of the Synod of Pennsylvania." 

The work was growing steadily, as shown by the fourth report made 
March 31, 1883, and the committee felt the time had come for organizing 
as a Presbyterial society. The following circular, therefore, was issued, 
accompanied by the several actions and recommendations of the Pres- 
bytery of Huntingdon, with their endorsement: 



"It is the desire of the members of the Woman's Synodical Committee on Home Mis- 
sions representing the Presbytery of Huntingdon that a Presbyterial society shall be organ- 
ized as early as possible ; and as soon as arrangements can be made a meeting of the auxil- 
iaries and Presbyterial Committee will be called to consider this question, and to elect their 
own officers. In the mean time our work will be systematized and facilitated if treasurers 
of Auxiliaries and other contributors to home missions will send their money to Mrs. John 
M. Bailey, Treasurer of the Woman's Home Mission Work of Huntingdon Presbytery. 
"(Signed) Mrs. Wm. Dorris, 

" Chairman Synodicai Coiiwnttee." 
Huntingdon, Pa., August 30, 1883. 



To Home Mission Auxiliaries and Members of the Woman's Home Mission Presby- 
terial Committee. 

Unavoidable hinderances have prevented the publication and sending out at an earlier date 
the several actions of the Huntingdon Presbytery in regard to our home mission work. 
Neither have we been able to hold a general conference with the members of the Presbyterial 
Committee for the purpose of dividing the work, which has grown rapidly since its start in the 
winter of 1879-80, when we numbered but two auxiliaries. At this date our auxiliaries are 
twenty-seven, societies having been reported as organized in the churches of West Kishaco- 
quillas and Buffalo Run since we reported to the Presbytery in April last, and the women of 
nine of our churches have been contributing without regular organization. With such marked 
increase of interest thus shown in this department of mission work, the members of our 
Synodical Committee cannot but feel that the time has come for handing the care of it over to 
the auxiliaries themselves, and we therefore ask you to examine carefully the Constitution for 
Presbyterial society herewith enclosed, and be prepared (when the call for a meeting shall be 
issued) to adopt it, or to make changes in it, if necessary, if it shall be decided by a majority 
of those present that it is expedient to organize as a Presbytery for woman's work in home 
missions. 

In the Synod of Pennsylvania the women have thus organized in all but four of its twenty, 
two Presbyteries. Will you not by your action in this matter enable us to report to the Synod 
at its meeting in Pittsburg, in October next, that the women of the Presbytery of Huntingdon 



Synodical Committee. 



352 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

do not mean any longer to be left behind, but expect to keep pace with the work of the Pres- 
byterian Church ? 

Mrs. William Dorris, 

Mrs. John M. Bailey, 

Mrs. J. C. Barr, 

Mrs. S. M. Woodcock, 

August 30, 1883. 

ACTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON IN 
REGARD TO WOMAN'S WORK IN HOME MISSIONS. 

After the presentation and adoption of the third annual report of 
the Woman's Synodical Committee on Home Missions, representing the 
Presbytery of Huntingdon, the following resolution was offered and 
passed unanimously by the Presbytery in session at HoUidaysburg, 
April 12, 1882: 

" In view of the present vast emigration to our Western States, and the importance of most 
active mission labors there, especially in the present decade, as affecting the future interests of 
both the country and the church, we have heard with great pleasure and interest the report of 
the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Presbytery, showing their commendable zeal in 
the organization of auxiliaries within our bounds." 

At a meeting of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, October i, 1882, 
the following resolution was passed : 

" Resolved, That the members of the Woman's Synodical Committee on Home Missions, 
residing within the bounds of this Presbytery, be requested to take charge of the woman's 
home mission work of the Presbytery, reporting their work statedly to us, and that Mrs. John 
M. Bailey, of that committee, act as Presbyterial treasurer for the auxiliaries of the Woman's 
Home Mission Society." 

Also at a meeting of the Presbytery, held April 11, 1883, the follow- 
ing minute was adopted : 

" The fourth annual report of the Woman's Home Mission Society of the Pres>bytery 
was received and read, and in compliance with the recommendation and request of the 
Woman's Synodical Committee on Home Missions of this Presbytery, a Presbyterial Com- 
mittee was appointed to assist the Synodical Committee in the department of mission work 
committed to their charge. The Presbyterial Committee to consist of the following-named 
ladies: Mrs. William Gemmill, Ramey, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania; Mrs. William C. 
Kuhn, Pine Grove Mills, Centre County, Pennsylvania; Mrs. H. G. Fisher, Huntingdon, 
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania; Mrs. James A. Beaver, Bellefonte, Centre County, Penn- 
sylvania; Mrs. George Elder, Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Robert F. 
Wilson, Port Royal, Juniata County, Pennsylvania; Mrs. George K. Scott, Shellsburg, Bedford 
County, Pennsylvania ; Mrs. Charlotte Irvine, HoUidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania ; 
Mrs. Ner Thompson, Milroy, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania; Mrs. S. R. Barclay, Altoona, Blair 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 353 

■County, Pennsylvania; Miss Ida F. Reamer, Bedford, Bedford County, Pennsylvania; Mrs. 
William Dorris, Huntingdon, to act as President, and Mrs. John M. Bailey, Huntingdon, to act 
as Treasurer of the Society." 

Members of Woman's Synodical Committee representing the Presby- 
tery of Huntingdon: Mrs. William Dorris, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania ; 
Mrs. John M. Bailey, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; Mrs. J. C. Barr, Alex- 
andria, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania; and Mrs. S. M. Wood- 
cock, Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania. 

At a meeting of the Presbytery of Huntingdon, held in the Presby- 
terian Church of Mifflintown, April 11, 1883, the following paper was 
adopted, viz. : 

" The Presbytery have this day heard virith great pleasure the report of the Woman's Home 
Missionary Societies within our bounds (the same being the Fourth Annual Report of the 
Woman's Synodical Committee on Home Missions representing the Presbytery of Huntingdon), 
and rejoice greatly in view of their rapid growth, increase in contributions, and proportionate 
«fficiency over past years, and also in view of new auxiliaries and bands which have been 
formed during the past year. 

" Therefore be it resolved : 

" First. That the Presbytery regards this Society as one of the important agencies by 
which the great work of our Lord is to be carried forward in the earth, and that we most 
heartily congratulate the auxiliaries, bands, and the families having mite-boxes, for the great 
good already accomplished by them, and pray that they may advance to still greater results, and 
reap proportionately greater blessings. 

''Second. That we earnestly recommend that organizations be effected in all the churches 
within our bounds where they do not now exist. 

" Third. That the officers of the Presbyterial Committee be requested to report fully their 
work to this body at its annual spring meeting. 

" Fourth. That the following members of Presbytery be appointed a permanent com- 
mittee to confer with the members of the society concerning their plans and work, and to 
render them in the name of the Presbytery all the assistance in their power. Names of com- 
mittee : D. K. Freeman, D. H. Barron, D.D., T. H. Wiggins, Elder. 

" Fifth. That the stated clerk of the Presbytery send a copy of their action to Mrs. Wil- 
liam Dorris, President of the Presbyterial Committee, with the request that a copy be sent by 
her to each society within our bounds." 

M. N. Cornelius, "i 

J. C. Barr, / Committee. 

Arrangements were accordingly made for holding a meeting in 
Altoona, and a call was issued for October 8 and 9, 1883, " under the 
auspices of the Woman's Synodical and Presbyterial Home Mission 
Committees of the Presbytery, for the purpose of organizing a Presby- 
terial Societ)^ — ' if the way be clear,' — and for the advancement of the 
general interests of home missions." 

23 



354 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

The meeting on Monday evening, October 8, held in the First 
Presbyterian Church, was addressed by Rev. Wm. C. Roberts, D.D., 
Secretary of the Board of Home Missions. On Tuesday, October 9, 
the sessions, were in the Second Presbyterian Church, and after de- 
votional exercises, led by Mrs. N. C. Barclay, of Altoona, Mrs. Chas. E. 
Walker, Vice-President of the Woman's Executive Committee, was 
chosen to preside, and Mrs. Woodcock and Mrs. Dorris as Secretaries. 

Mrs. S. M. Woodcock, of Altoona, welcomed the delegates in an 
excellent address, and after roll call of the churches, — showing quite a 
good representation, — Mrs. F. E. H. Haines, Corresponding Secretary of 
the Woman's Executive Committee, who had come from New York to 
aid the ladies in organizing, gave an account of the progress of the 
work, and Mrs. Walker and Miss McKean made good addresses. Miss 
McKean was a missionary teacher in Utah, and said, " The only hope for 
Utah is the education of the children." (Miss McKean is now the wife 
of Rev. W. P. White, of Germantown.) 

Committees on constitution and organization of Presbyterial Society 
were appointed, who reported a constitution and the following permanent 
officers : 

President, Mrs. Wm. Dorris, of Huntingdon ; Corresponding Secre- 
tary, Mrs. S. M. Woodcock, Altoona ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. J. C. 
Barr, Alexandria; Treasurer, Mrs. J. M. Bailey, Huntingdon. 

Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Charlotte Irvine, Hollidaysburg; Mrs. S. A. 
Smith, Altoona ; Miss Lizzie Bell, Bellwood ; Mrs. Emma Dewees, Lew- 
istown; Mrs. Dr. McClay, Milroy; Mrs. Henry Butler, Clearfield; Mrs. 
James A. Beaver, Bellefonte ; Mrs. R. F. Wilson, Port Royal. 

The report given showed that there were twenty-seven auxiliaries in 
the Presbytery, with contributions up to April i, in money and boxes, 
amounting to thirteen hundred and fifty-four dollars and one cent, the 
same report that was made to the Woman's Executive Committee and 
to Presbytery in April, 1883. 

The paper prepared and read by Mrs. J. C. Barr at this meetiijg, 
relative to the formation of the Alexandria Society, being of such general 
interest, is given here in full. 

" We call ourselves the pioneer society of Huntingdon Presbytery, because we were the 
first society organized within its bounds, for the present organization was effected in March, 
1876. We have perseveringly continued till the present, — sometimes amid discouragements 
when little interest has been manifested by the members and few found at the regular meet- 
ings of the society. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 355 

" One fact worthy of mention of our society is, that we have neter failed to hold our regu- 
lar monthly meetings since its reorganization. We say reorganization, for we find that, running 
back to December 25, 1823, Rev. James Thompson, pastor of the Church of Alexandria, 
preached the first home mission sermon, which so stirred up the hearts of the good women of 
the church that four met that same afternoon to consider the formation of a missionary society. 
Of these ladies, one, Miss Margaret Stewart, is still living, to whom we are indebted for the 
facts of this organization, which became a large and flourishing society. Rev. Mr. Thompson 
wrote a constitution for them. 

" They met twice a month, on Saturday afternoon, at the homes of the members. They 
went just after a twelve o'clock dinner and worked until bedtime. The members had but little 
money to give, but willing hands to work for the Master. This work they sold and put the 
money in the treasury. Some of the members chose special work. One lady continued for 
years making gentlemen's stocks, such as were worn in that day. Another embroidered baby 
caps. Some made needle-books and pin-cushions. 

" The meetings were opened with reading the Scriptures and prayer. One was appointed 
at each meeting to read at the next meeting. If members were absent, a fine of six cents was 
imposed. At the end of the first year they had ninety dollars in the treasury. 

"Dr. Ely came after this, preaching missionary sermons, trying to establish societies in the 
churches. When he found one already in Alexandria, and the only one within the bounds of 
Huntingdon Presbytery, he proposed to take their money, double it, and send it back to pay a 
missionary to labor in their own Presbytery. This he did, and Rev. James Thompson em- 
ployed Rev. Samuel Montgomery, of Northumberland County, who served six months for that 
money, laboring at Yellow Creek, Coffee Run, and Marklesburg, which was all missionary 
ground then. After the first year the money was sent to Presbytery, to be used where most 
needed. The yearly contributions never amounted to less than sixty dollars. Three life 
members were made in this society. 

" After this the little girls formed a society on the same principles. They sent their money 
to Rev. William Montgomery, a missionary laboring among the Osage Indians. We selected 
two children for them to name, and one was called Henry Martyn, the other Cladius Buchanan. 
How long this little girls' society continued we have no record ; but the other lasted many 
years, until death, marriage, or removal had claimed most of the members. Of this old society 
we have two at least of the members of it enrolled as members of our present society, and one 
who was a member of the little girls' society. 

" Of Miss Stewart, one of the founders of the parent society, I wish to speak. Although 
living in Philadelphia, in her eighty-fifth year, her sight almost gone, yet her heart returns to 
the old Church of Alexandria, and her interest continues in all its work. When I meet her, 
almost the first question she asks is, ' What about your missionary society ? What are you 
doing?' And then her thoughts go back to the old society, of which she loves to speak. 
Soon these living links that connect the society of 1883 with that of 1832 must be broken; but 
we may be thankful that some of the old spirit remains. Indeed, it has never died out, for 
whilst the organization by changes was broken up, the spirit continued, and missionary boxes 
were sent out by the ladies of the church year after year. When the formation of women's 
missionary societies was recommended in all our churches some years ago, our ladies, when 
they came together for that purpose, by a large majority decided it should be a home missionary 
society, thus again becoming the first organized Home Missionary Society in the Presbytery. 

" We have also organized, two years ago, a Young Ladies' Foreign Missionary Band, and 
find the two working together harmoniously." 



356 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

After earnest words of counsel and instruction from Mrs. Haines 
and Mrs Walker, in the closing hours of the afternoon, Dr. W. C. 
Roberts bade the society God-speed in the work that lay before it, and 
pronounced the benediction; and thus on the 9th of October, 1883, the 
Woman's Home Mission Society of the Presbytery of Huntingdon 
began its official life. 

The first annual meeting was held on October 29 and 30, in the 
Logan's Valley Church, at Bellwood ; opening on Wednesday evening, 
29th, by a public meeting, at which Rev, Joseph H. Mathers, D.D., 
pastor of the church, presided. Addresses were made by Rev. J. C. 
Barr, of Alexandria, Rev. J. H. Mathers, Rev. M. N, Cornelius, of 
Altoona First Church, and Rev. D. K. Freeman, of Huntingdon. These 
addresses were short, " but earnest in setting forth the needs of home 
missions, and pleading for increased effort and enlarged contributions." 
The session on Thursday morning, 30th, opened at 9.30. Forty-two 
delegates responded to the roll call, representing seventeen auxiliaries 
and bands. 

The report of the Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. S. M. Woodcock, 
gave contributions in cash of ;^ 1089.17; in "boxes," value, ^^657.47; 
an aggregate of ^1756.64; and thirty-seven auxiliaries, being a gain of 
ten over the report of 1883, at the time of organization; four of these 
having been organized through the instrumentality of Miss F. A. Dyer, 
who visited in the spring as Synodical Secretary many of the churches 
and societies of the Presbytery in the interest of the work. 

The Treasurer, Mrs. John M. Bailey, reported money sent through 
her ^866.94 ; the discrepancy between her report and that of the Corre- 
sponding Secretary being accounted for by the fact that Mrs. Woodcock 
gave amounts, collected from the blanks sent to her, dating from April 
I, 1883, to April, 1884; while Mrs. Bailey's receipts were from October, 
1883, to October, 1884; and also that churches, societies, and individuals 
require " line upon line, precept upon precept," before they will learn to 
follow rules for systematic work, and, notwithstanding repeated direc- 
tions to the contrary, money was sent direct to New York to Mrs. M. 
E. Boyd, Treasurer of the Woman's Executive Committee, instead of to 
the Presbyterial Treasurer. 

It was decided that hereafter only money sent through the Presbyterial 
Treasurer would be reported or credited to auxiliaries, and that the 
Presbyterial year would close September 30. The President, Secretaries, 
and Treasurer were re-elected for the ensuing year, with some changes in 



01' THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 357 

the list of Vice-Presidents. Mrs. R. H. Shaw, of Clearfield, Mrs. Emma 
W. McCoy, of Tyrone, and Mrs. Emily W. Kuhn, of Altoona First 
Church, being added, or taking the places of those retiring; Mrs. Wil- 
liam H, Woods, of Huntingdon, and Miss Ida Dull, of Lewistown, were - 
made Superintendents of Bands ; Miss Lida N. Wilson, of Port Royal, 
given charge of Sunday-School work ; and Mrs. J. L. Russell, of Altoona 
Second Church, appointed as Secretary of Freedmen's Department, as 
the support of schools under the care of the Board for Freedmen had 
been undertaken in 1884 by the Woman's Executive Committee of Home 
Missions, in addition to that already assumed among the Indians, Mexi- 
cans, and Mormons. 

Mrs. F. E. H. Haines met again with the society in this its first 
annual gathering, and gave a most interesting account of the missions 
in Alaska and Utah, which she had visited during the summer. Mrs. 
Darwin R. James, of Washington, D.C., First Vice-President of the 
Woman's Executive Committee (now its able President), spoke on the 
" Destiny of our Nation," showing America, a nation set in the midst of 
the world, as a Christianizer of all nations, as they are brought to our 
doors by immigration. Miss F. A. Dyer urged upon societies, and 
treasurers of auxiliaries, to be prompt and exact in their reports and 
payments, as the smoothness and success of the work begins here, and 
related instances of the great sacrifices made by missionary teachers, 
working under hardships and difficulties, isolated from companionship, 
with poor accommodations for their schools or their own comfort. 

The second annual convocation was held in Tyrone, October i and 
2. The public meeting October i was addressed by Rev. Dr. R. H. 
Allen, Secretary of the Freedmen's Board, and Rev. J. L. Russell, of 
Altoona Second Church. 

On Friday, October 2, Mrs. R. H. Allen, secretary for this depart- 
ment of the Woman's Board, pleaded in eloquent words for help for freed- 
women and their children. Mrs. A. P. Happer, missionary to China, 
testified to the assistance rendered to the work abroad by the loyal sup- 
port of the home work. 

Mrs. Charles L. Bailey and Mrs. Thomas L. Wallace, of Harrisburg, 
of the Presbytery of Carlisle, gave valuable suggestions as to methods of 
work, and the devotional spirit they brought with them was very help- 
ful. The reports of the Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer showed 
increase in money and membership ; but we may not follow the progress 
of the society — even in outline — through the years. The Treasurer can 



358 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

give the records of the past, as shown by her receipts, but God only 
knows what he has recorded of earnest prayers, of self-denials and 
sacrifices, and " the constraining love" which prompted the gifts. 

Some of the early workers have folded their hands and gone to re- 
ceive their reward, and will long " be remembered by what they have 
done;" among these must be mentioned Mrs. S. M. Woodcock, the 
efificient, faithful Corresponding Secretary, and Mrs. Charlotte Irvine, 
First Vice-President, who with Mrs. Tucker organized the Alaske Club, 
of Hollidaysburg Church, the first boys' band for home missions in the 
Presbytery, 

Mrs. R. H. Allen and Mrs. F. E. H. Haines have also " passed into 
the skies," but have left their monuments in schools founded as " light- 
houses amidst the surrounding darkness," and in many, many lives re- 
deemed and blessed, through the knowledge of the gospel of the Son 
of God. 

It is of interest to remember that Mrs. Haines was the daughter of 
Mr. Wilder, of New York, who educated and sent Jonas King, the first 
missionary to Syria, and paid his salary there, when the American 
Board of Foreign Missions was in its infancy. In her youth Miss 
Wilder had expected to go as a foreign missionary, but God had other 
work for her, and the way was not opened to carry out her plan of life. 

Of the ministers of the Presbytery who aided in the beginning of 
this work, M. N. Cornelius, George Elliott, and J. C. Barr have rested 
from labor and gone home ; while Father Prideaux, in his eighty-third 
year, and Dr. O. O. McClean are waiting with faces turned eastward, 
their feet touching the brink, ready to cross the river when the summons 
comes. 

Some societies have dropped out by the way, and a number of bands 
have been merged in the Society of Christian Endeavor, but we hope 
that contributions to home missions will not be lost, although they may 
go by a different channel. 

At the third meeting, October 7 and 8, 1886, at Huntingdon, Miss 
^Mary T. Elder, of Lewistown, and Mrs. N. C. Barclay, of Altoona, were 
elected to take charge of bands, and Miss Mary S. Coolbroth, of Holli- 
daysburg, as Assistant Corresponding Secretary. 

At the fourth meeting, at Mount Union, October i and 2, 1887, Mrs. 
Dorris having declined re-election, Mrs. J. L. Russell was made Presi- 
dent ; owing to removal from the Presbytery of Mrs. J. C. Barr, Record- 
ing Secretary, Miss Annie I. Clarke, of Tyrone, was elected to that 



OF THE PKESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 359 

office; and Miss S. H. Hutchinson, of Altoona, as Corresponding Secre- 
tary, in place of Mrs. S. M. Woodcock, resigned. 

Mrs. Dr. Freeman and Mrs. H. O. Fisher, of Huntingdon, were made 
Secretaries of the Freedmen's Department, left vacant by Mrs. Russell's 
election to the Presidency. Rev. J. L. Russell having accepted a call to 
Los Angeles, California, Miss Annie M. Irvine was elected President, at 
Clearfield, October 4, 1889, and in this, the twelfth year of the Presby- 
terial Society, is still its honored leader. 

In the spring of 1890 Miss Annie I. Clarke, Recording Secretary, 
died, beloved and regretted by all who knew her, and Mrs. A. M. 
Laporte, of Tyrone, filled the vacancy until the meeting at Hollidays- 
burg, in the fall of 1890, when she was elected to the office. At the 
same meeting the bands were put in charge of Mrs. L. S. Landis, of 
HoUidaysburg, in place of Miss Elder, resigned. 

In 1891 Mrs. A. H. Jolly was given the care of the work in Sab- 
bath-schools, succeeded by Mrs. M. W. Thompson, of Altoona, in 1893. 

In 1892 Miss Hutchinson, Corresponding Secretary, resigned, and 
Miss Clara Bain, of Altoona, was chosen, and remained in office until 
1894, when at the meeting in Bellwood, that year, Mrs. W. B. Miller, of 
Altoona, was elected. 

In 1893 Mrs. J. A. Knight, of Lewistown, was made Secretary of 
Literature. 

At the twelfth meeting, in Huntingdon, 1895, all of the officers were 
re-elected. 

The following financial statement has been furnished by the Presby- 
terial Treasurer, Mrs, John M. Bailey, who has remained faithfully at her 
post through all of these changes. 

The Presbyterial year dates from October to October. 

Cash from 1883 to 1895, paid to Treasurer of Woman's 

Executive Committee of Home Missions . . Total . ^20,032 68 

Cash from 1883 to 1 895, by special collections, for ex- 
penses of Presbyterial Society 547 73 

^20,580 41 

Value of boxes, for missionaries and schools, 1883 to 

1895 7.014 94 

^ ., . . ^27,595 35 

Contributions in cash before organization 2,122 98 

Value of boxes, in cash 2,837 27 

4,960 25 

Final total ^32,555 60 

In 1892 the society received three hundred -dollars, by legacies and 
gift, from Mrs. Jane E. Cunningham, Mrs. Annie Gilfilon, and Miss 



360 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Sarah T. McAlister, of the Lost Creek Church ; and from the Tyrone 
Auxiliary a legacy of five hundred dollars, from Mrs. Elizabeth Harnish, 
The three hundred dollars from Lost Creek were applied to the building 
for the school at Hot Springs, North Carolina, and the five hundred 
dollars legacy from Tyrone to the building of the chapel at Jackson^ 
Alaska, which is to be named for Mrs. Harnish. In 1893 the Alexandria 
Society paid a legacy of ninety-five dollars left to them by Mrs. Mary 
Dorris Shaw, which was applied to the building fund. 

October, 1884, societies, 14; churches, 4; bands, 7; Sunday-schools, 4. 
October, 1885, societies, 23; churches, I ; bands, 8; Sunday-schools, 2. 
October, 1895, societies, 34; S. C. E., 9; bands, 19; Sunday-schools, 7. 

Only thirty-one of the seventy-six churches of the Presbytery are 
represented in the contributions of 1895, although the auxiliaries num- 
ber sixty-nine. Many of the non-contributing churches are weak, but 
the Pine Grove Society, numbering only four members, and sometimes 
only two at the monthly meeting, by their contributions to both home 
and foreign missions shows what can be done if there be first a " willing 
mind." 

The money and box valuations reported here by no means repre- 
sent all the contributions of the women of Huntingdon Presbytery, for 
scholarships have been sustained, the money for which did not pass 
through the hands of the Presbyterial Treasurer, and boxes sent which 
which were not reported to her. 

In these days it would be time wasted to discuss the advantages of 
organization, for, as the Rev. Dr. Maxwell says, " Twenty-five intelligent, 
earnest Christian women working methodically and systematically can 
accomplish more than one hundred having neither plan nor concert of 
effort." 

" Woman's work in home missions" needs now no apology. The 
results speak for it. " Men may come and men may go," but it has come 
to stay, as long as it may be needed. 

God's blessing has accompanied it, not only to those whom it reached 
out to help but to the women engaged in it. The gain to them cannot 
be measured, and all that they gave he has given back in full measure^ 
" pressed down and running over." It has not only the sanction of the 
ministers now, but other boards and agencies of the church, beside the 
Home and Foreign, are calling with Macedonian importunity, " Come 
over and help us." 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 36 1 

It has not hurt woman's work in foreign missions, as was feared, for 
home missions are the real support of foreign, and in the upbuilding of 
the church at home lies its strength. In proportion as we lengthen the 
" cords" the " stakes" must be strengthened or there will be certain 
collapse. 

Among the causes and influences that led up to woman's work in 
missions her part in the prayer-meeting might have been mentioned, as 
not only the secret of her strength but the power of the church to accom- 
plish anything for Christ must be found in prevailing prayer. " The 
first Christian church in Europe had its origin in a woman's prayer- 
meeting, and now such meetings gird the round earth," and the answer 
comes back in " showers of blessing." 

Dr. J. H. Mathers says, " In the church of my childhood, Mifflin- 
town and Lost Creek, the prayer-meetings were always maintained by 
the faithful women. Often no representative of the other sex was present 
at all. The lot in which our church stood, and where the Presbyterians 
of that region worshipped for many years, was the bequest to the con- 
gregation of the widow of John Harris ; and one of her relatives, subse- 
quently, was a pillar in the church, — a saintly woman, who acted as 
superintendent of the Sunday-school, leading in prayer, and helping in 
every way, — Miss Mary Biyson. I have no doubt that every other con- 
gregation in the Presbytery was indebted to such faithful, devout women. 
We were accustomed to look on ' Aunt Polly Bryson' as a saint." 

Woman's zeal in advancing the temperance reform, which has devel- 
oped so marvellously in the present age, and been a help to the churches 
of all denominations, is well known. " Father Hunt's" campaign through 
the Presbytery and the " Sons of Temperance" movement were aided by 
her quiet influence and voice at home if not, as now, in the public gath- 
erings. Not far from the spot where the red men of the Juniata reared 
the " Standing Stone" of the tribes stands now the " Standing Stone 
Chapel," with open doors and a warm welcome for all the children that 
will enter to be taught the way of life, — a testimony to the work of three 
young women who began their teachings under the trees on the hill-side, 
with only the sky for a roof 

It is said "the early English Baptists were opposed to singing in 
public worship, but some contended that men only should sing, as women 
were to keep ' silent in the churches.' " Those days have gone, with the 
old things passed away, and woman may teach in the Sunday-school, 
and sing, and even talk, if she has a message ; but the message she must 



362 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

proclaim is the one given to her by her Lord, — " Go tell quickly, he is 
risen, he is risen indeed." 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR. 

BY REV. HARVEY GR^ME FURBAY, Ph.D. 

Investigation, as shown in the following table, brings no report of 
an organization which was distinctly for the young people in the churches 
of this Presbytery previous to 1 874. 

Between 1874 and 1888, a period of fourteen years, we have reported 
to us but six religious societies for young people in our churches. The 
first one in point of age was in the Tyrone First. It was organized by 
Rev. S. M. Moore, D.D., 1874, after a revival, and was simply a prayer- 
meeting for young men. This was sustained for a number of years, how 
long we have been unable to learn. 

The Altoona Second, in 1875, organized a young people's society, 
but there are no records preserved of it, and we can tell nothing about it. 

We find that in 1876 the Westminster Church of Mifflintown started 
a similar meeting for the young people, and that was continued until 
1888. 

In 1879, in the Sinking Valley Church at Arch Springs, a young 
people's band was formed called the Sinking Valley Gleaners. This 
organization was for the twofold purpose of beneficent and benevolent 
work, and existed for a number of years, and has to its credit the raising 
of something over seven hundred dollars in that rural district. 

In 1884 one of the most interesting societies of this Presbytery was 
organized by James Mackhn at McVeytown, and was called the Young 
People's Christian Association. Quoting from a published constitution 
which they issued at that time, " This association has for its object the 
study of the Bible and active work in the Master's kingdom, trusting 
that the results may be for the general good of the community and the 
spiritual benefits of its members. It is proposed to do active work, first, 
by furnishing Bibles or Testaments free to those who wish them, yet 
who cannot afford to purchase; also religious newspapers and other 
religious literature ; second, by providing the deserving poor of the 
community with the needed comforts of life. We desire to do this work 
quietly and inobtrusively, and hope thus to reach those who otherwise 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 363 

could not be approached; should you know of any such, please notify 
the president or secretary of the association." This society seems to 
have been the nearest approach to the Young People's Society of Chris- 
tian Endeavor, and was eminently successful in the work which it carried 
on under the direction of Mr. Macklin in McVeytown. This society 
existed until it was merged into the Christian Endeavor Society in 189 1. 

The next society for young people was organized in the First Church 
of Altoona in 1886, called the Young People's Society. It might be 
mentioned in the Alexandria Church there was a Young Men's League, 
designed for special work of young men. along Christian lines, but the 
date was not given us in the data furnished. 

In 1887, also, the Philipsburg Church organized a prayer-meeting 
for young people. And with these notices, of all the churches in our 
Presbytery with whom we had communication, these ^t-^M alone had any 
organized work for young people previous to the Young People's Society 
of Christian Endeavor. Of course, in making this statement, we presume 
that all understand that we have knowledge of the existence of the 
Sunday-schools, but young people's work, as it is now understood, is a 
branch of activity distinct and apart from Sunday-school work. 

Probably the most important of the young people's societies which 
obtain in this Presbytery is the Young People's Society of Christian 
Endeavor. I have made careful inquiry to learn, if possible, in what 
church the first Christian Endeavor Society was organized. According 
to the replies of the various societies and churches which I have at hand, 
the society in the Lewistown Church is the oldest in the Presbytery, 
having been organized in September, 1887, by Miss Mary J. Elder, now 
Mrs. William G. Brinton, of Oxford, Pennsylvania. She writes me say- 
ing that, to the best of her knowledge, the facts concerning the organi- 
zation of this society are as follows : She had been visiting in Oxford, 
Pennsylvania, her present home, and there, for the first time, saw a Chris- 
tian Endeavor Society. She came home and told her pastor, the Rev. 
John Gourley, of her impressions concerning the work and possibilities 
of this organization, and, after a conference with a number of the young 
people, it was determined to institute such an organization in the Lewis- 
town Church, which was done on the above-named date. Whatever 
credit or honor is due for the introduction of this organization in this 
Presbytery seems to belong to this church, this young lady, and this 
pastor. 

The next society was organized at Huntingdon, February 4, 1888, 



364 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. 

by Dr. Freeman. Then followed the one at Mifflintown, February 17, — 
Emma Hayes has the distinction of having originated this one. The 
next at Tyrone, February 27, by their pastor, Dr. Davies. 

There were some four or five societies organized in the year of 1889, 
but of the fifty-seven societies now as reporting to me, by far the largest 
number of them were organized during the years of 1891 and 1892. 
And since 1892 there have been but seven societies organized. 

The origin, growth, and development to the present date of young 
people's work within our churches in this Presbytery is indicated in the 
appended table. Aside from the Young People's Society of Christian 
Endeavor, we have but two other accredited organizations for young 
people, excepting the Mission Bands, — namely, the Boys' Brigade and the 
Brotherhood of Andrew and Philip. The Brotherhood of Andrew and 
Philip was first organized in this Presbytery at Philipsburg by the Rev. 
H. F. Means, March 16, 1894. The need for this organization seemed 
to be felt after special meetings had been held during the winter of 
1893 and 1894, which resulted in an addition to the church of quite a 
number of young men and older boys. A desire had been expressed 
on the part of some for a young men's prayer-meeting. This organized 
with thirty-three active members. The brotherhood has maintained a 
regular weekly prayer service on Friday evening, and holds several open- 
air meetings during the summer. 

The Boys' Brigade existing in the Second Church of Altoona seems 
to be the first one organized. This was done April i, 1895, by Rev. H. 
H. Stiles. 



YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK, ROLL OF MINISTERS AND 

LICENTIATES, AND LIST OF STATED CLERKS 

OF HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERY. 



365 



366 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 

Growth and Development of Young People' s Work in Huntingdon Presbytery. 





Date of Organization. 


Organizer. 


Membership. 




Organized. 


Present. 


Academia 

Alexandria 

Allensville 

Altoona Broad 

Altoona Fir^t 

Altoona Jamata 

Altoona Second 

Altoona Third 


August 27, 1892. 
January 20, 1892. 
March 21, 1893. 
March 13, 1893. 
April I, 1891. 
January I, 1892. 
May 10, 1889. 
February 2, 1890. 
1890. 
March 30, 1S90 


C. S. McLaughlin. 
Rev. Jolly. 
Rev. S. S. Bergen. 
Session. 
J. W. Bain. 
Eev. E. Lewey. 
A. W. Spooner. 
Rev. J. E. Irvine. 


17 
19 

34 

22 
20 
20 
48 

13 
15 

26 

12 

15 

40 

15 


92 

45 

60 
50 

75 
56 
35 


Arch Springs .... 


Rev. J. J. Coale. 
Rev. J. M. Barnett. 
J. W. Gephart. 
John T. Wilson. 
Dr. W. H. Morrow. 

H. H. Henry. 

H. H. Henry. 
Dr. McKinley. 
Dr. McKinley. 


Bedford 

Bellefonte 

Belleville 

Bellwood 

Birmingham 

Birmingham Mt. Seminary 

Clearfield 

Clearfield Pme Grove . . 


February, 1892. 
1888 (?). 
April 3, 1892. 
Match, 1890. 

February 23, 1890. 

January, 1890. 

1891. 

.892. 


40 

75 
25 

35 
18 
80 

35 


Curwensville 

Duncansville 

Eden Valley ...... 

Everett 

Groona 

Hart's Log Valley .... 


December I, 1889. 
October, 1893. 
December, 1 89 1. 
November 10, 1889 
August 26, 1892. 


Rev. Charles Herron. 
Rev. A. L. Latham. 
H. H. Henry. 
Edna McKean. 


31 
21 

"6 


35 
32 

13 

46 












Hollidaysburg 

Houtzdale 

Huntingdon 

Huntingdon West Chapel . 


1891. 

January 22, 1890. 

February 4, 1888. 


Disbanded. 
Rev. A. A. Bird. 
Dr. Freeman. 


22 
57 


40 

87 


Kylertown 

Lemont 


November, 1894. 




40 
12 

18 
63 









Lewistown 

Little Valley 

Madera 

Mapleton 

Martinsburg 


September, 1887. 
1892. 

July, 1894. 
November 3, 1893. 


Mary T. Elder. 
Alice Singler. 
Rev. J. E. Giffin. 
J. G. Hicks. 


58 
40 
24 
105 


McAlisterville 






'16 
26 
10 

33 

28 

31 
ir 

15 
30 
26 

% 

10 

8 

12 

1 

14 




McCulloch's Mills 


January 10, 1892. 
January 25, 1891. 
February 17, 1889. 

March 18, 1892. 
November 4, 1892. 




33 

49 

72 


McVeytown 

Mifflintown 

Milesburg 


James Macklin. 
Emma Plays. 

Laura Wright. 


Newton Hamilton .... 


March 4, 189 1. 
July, 1890. 
January, 1891. 
June, 1 89 1. 
July 24, 1892. 

April, 1891. 
January 29, 1893. 
1891. 
October, 1892. 

August, 1889. 

February 27, 1888. 
September 18, 1892. 


Huntingdon C. E. 


89 

65 
105 

34 
45 
-58 


Osceola Mills 

Petersburg 

Philipsburg 

Port Royal 

ReedsviUe 

Shirleysburg 

Spruce Creek 

State College 


N. H. Miller, D.D. 
Rev. A. F. Taylor. 


Rev. R. M. Campbell. 

Rev. A. H. Parker. 

Rev. D. H. Campbell. 

W. D. Guth. 
f John Hamilton, ") 
\ George C. Butz. \ 

Dr. Davies. 

J. F. Diener. 


Waterloo 

Water Street 


45 


Williamsburg 


August 28, 1 891. 


J. J. Irvine. 


53 



Of THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 
Tabulated by Harvey Grceme Fiirbay, Ph.D. 



367 



Junior Christian Endeavor. 


Other Societies. 


Organized. 


By whom. 


Organized. 


Remarks. 
















Young Men's League. 








1893 
1893 


Mrs. J. B. Turner. 


■1886 


Young People's Society. 




1890 

Yes 


Dr. Spooner. 
Dr. Spooner. 


1875 


Young People's Soc, Boys' Brigade. 




.' 


1879 
1890 


Sinking Valley Gleaners, S700. 
Young People's Society. 










1895 
1893 


Mrs. J. H. Mathers, 
f Miss G. Woodcock, \ 
t Miss Ida Copely. / 






1892 


Senior Chris Endeavor. 


















































Young People's Prayer-Meeting. 
























Yes 








1892 


Mrs. Mays. 



















1894 


Young People's Society. 






























































Februarv, 1 884 
1876 


Young People's Christian Association. 
Until 1888 Young People's Prayer- 
Meeting. 


























1893 


Margaret Campbell. 










1887 (?) 


Young People's Prayer-Meeting, An- 
drew and Philip. 


























1893 










1874 


Young People's Prayer-Meeting. 










1894 


Senior Chris Endeavor. 













368 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



The Roll of Ministers and Licentiates of the Presbyte?-y of Hunt- 



When Received. 



John Hoge 

James Martin ...... 

Hugh Magill 

Matthew Stephens . . . . 

Hugh Morrison 

John Bryson 

Isaac Grier 

James Johnston 

John Johnston 

David Bard ...... 

David Wiley 

Asa Dunham 

John B. Battel son . . . . 
Alexander Mcllwaine . . 

John Coulter 

William Stewart . . . . 

James Simpson 

Henry R. Wilson, D.D. . 
Matthew Brown, D.D. . . 
John Hutchison . . . . 

Thomas Hood 

James Lynn, D.D. . . . 
William Kennedy . . . . 
James Galbraith . . . . 
William A. Boyd . . . . 
Nathaniel R. Snowden . 
James Thompson . . . . 
James S. Woods, D.D. . . 
Samuel Hill ...... 

John Mcllhinny 

William Ramsey . . . . 
Joseph B. Adams . . . . 

Samuel Swan 

Samuel Bryson 

John Peebles 

John Vandeveer . . . . 

George Gray 

William P. Cochran . . . 

Garry Bishop 

James H. Stewart . , . . 

Tames F. Irvine 

George D. Porter, D.D. . 
John Fleming, D.D. . . 
Samuel Wilson, D.D. . . 

Wdliam Reed 

Britlon E. Collins . . . . 
David McKinney, D.D. . 



April 14, 1795. 

April 14, 1795. 

April 14, 1795. 

April 14, 1795. 

April 14, 1795. 

April 14, 1795. 

April 14, 1795. 

April 14, 1795. 

April 14, 1795. 
4, 1795- 
4. 1795- 
o, 1799. 
1799. 



Ap 

April ] 
April ] 
Oct. I, 



Jan. 2, 1799. 
April 21, iSoi. 
April 21, 1801. 
Oct. 6, 1801. 
Oct. 6, 1802. 
Nov. 10, 1801. 
Oct. 3, 1803. 
April 16, 1805. 
June, 1809. 
April 17, 1810. 
Oct. I, 1816. 
Nov. 19, 1816. 
Oct. 7, 1818. 
Feb. 3, 1819. 
October, 1819. 
Oct. 2, 1821. 
April 2, 1822. 
April I, 1823. 
April I, 1823. 
Oct. 7, 1823. 
Oct. 5, 1824. 
June :i, 1825. 
June 21, 1825. 
Oct. 4, 1825. 
Oct. 4, 1825. 
Oct. II, 1826. 
Oct. 26, 1827. 
June II, 1828. 
April 7, 1829. 
Oa. 7, 1829. 
Oct. 7, 1829. 
Oct. 7, 1829. 
April, 1830. 
October, 1830. 



Ronte, Ireland. 
Carlisle. 
Carlisle. 
Donegal. 



Donegal. 
New Castle. 



New Castle. 
New Castle. 



Carlisle. 
Carlisle. 
Huntingdon. 
New Castle. 
Carlisle. 



Redstone. 
New Castle. 
Carlisle. 

Northumberland. 
New Brunswick. 



In Ireland. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Philadelphia. 

Huntingdon. 



Dutch Reformed Ch. 

In Ireland. 

Huntingdon. 

Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia. 

Philadelphia. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Philadelphia. 



Oct. 8, 1789. 
Dec. 21, 1791. 
Oct. II, 1783. 



April 



[777- 
10, 1793. 



Oct. 3, 1804. 
October, 1808. 



October, 1818. 



April 5, 1826. 
Oct. 12, 1826. 



June 12, 1827. 



Oct. II, 1827. 



Oct. 3, 1832. 
Oct. 3, 1832. 
April 5, 1831. 
Oct. 3, 1832. 
April, 182S. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



369 



ingdon, fro?n its Organization, April 14, lygs, to April 14, i8gS- 



By what Presbytery 
Ordained. 


When Ordained. 


When Dismissed. 


'When Deceased. 








February II, 1 807. 
June 20, 1795. 
Sept. 14, 1805. 
May, 1825. 
Sept. IS, 1804. 
Aug. 1S55; set. 98. 
August 23, 1814. 
January 4, 1820. 
Dec. 16, 1823. 
March 12, 1815. 

1825. 




















Carlisle. 
Carlisle. 
Carlisle. 
Donegal. 


1787 or 1788. 

December 22, 1790. 
April 9, 1794. 
August 19, 1784. 


Org. N."P.', 6ct.,'i8ii. 
Org. N. P., Oct., 1811. 


Donegal. 
Carlisle. 


June 16, 1779. 
April 9, 1794. 




Baltimore, April, 1 801. 
To N'thum'land, 181 1. 


Huntingdon. 


December 4, 1799. 
November 6, 1799. 
August II, 1801. 
October 7, i8oi. 


Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 








June 22, 1834. 
March 30, 1848. 


Belfast 




Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 


April 20, 1803. 
April 21, 1802. 
April 6, 1806. 
October 2, 1805. 
April, i8io. 
October 3, 1810. 

1810. 

April 2, 1817. 


October 3, 1809. 
March 26, 1805. 


Nov. 1 1, 1844. 


Huntingdon. 




March 17, 1848. 
Feb. 23, 1868. 

March 28, 1 85 8. 
May II, 1823. 




Huntingdon. 
Redstone. 


October I, 1822. 


Huntingdon. 
Carlisle. 


April 5, 1820. 




April 6, 1819. 
April 20, 1820. 
October 3, 1821. 


October 8, 1830. 
June 29, 1862. 


Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 








Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 


October 10, 1827. 
October 6, 1830. 


October 11, 1827. 
May I, 1833. 
April 7, 1824. 










Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 


June 22, 1825. 
October 5, 1 825. 






April I, 1828. 

1849. 

October II, 1827. 


1857. 






Huntingdon. 
Philadelphia. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 


October 12, 1826. 






February 27, 1829. 


November 26, 1828. 
November 27, 1833. 
October 24, 1832. 
November 14, 1832. 
May, 1833. 
June, 1830. 








April 12, 1843. 


1894. 

Sept. I, 1889. 
August 12, 1834. 
April 12, 1876. 


Huntingdon. 













370 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



When Received. 



When Licensed. 



William Annan . . . 
James Nourse . . . 
Alexander McKeehan 
David Sterrett . . . 
Thomas Keating . . 
James Omstead . . . 
McKnight Williamson 
Joshua Moore . . . 
Robert Craig Galbraith 
Matthew B. Hope, D.D, 
B. H. Carroll . . . 
Moses Floyd . . . 
Samuel M. Cooper 
Andrew Jardine 
William Adam . . 
William J. Gibson, D.D 
Daniel L. Hughes, D.D 
William M. Hall . 
William J. Murphy 
John W. Hazlett . 
Peter Hassinger 
Matthew Allison . 
Samuel N. Howell 

Robert Hamill, D.D. , 
Samuel H. McDonald , 

Miles T. Mervine . . 

Geo. W. Thompson, D. 

James Smith .... 

Israel W. Ward . . . 

George Elliott ... 

Silas Hazlett .... 

James H. Orbison, Sr. 

Samuel Lawrence . . 

James J. Hamilton . 

William S. Garthwaite 

James Campbell . . 

John Elliott .... 

William S. Morrison 

David X. Junkin, D.D. 

Thomas Stevenson . 

Oliver O. McClean, D. 

Albert B. Clark . . . 

F. A. Pratt 

Nathan Shotwell . . , 

George W. Shaiffer . . 

Richard Curren .... 

Thomas P. Speers . ■ . , 

S. S. Orris, Ph.D., L.H 

Noah A. McDonald, D 

A. Miller Woods . . 

Wm. Alexander, D D. 

Samuel Gamble . . . 

Robert Fleming Wilson 

Samuel T. Thompson . 

Joseph H. Mathers, D.D. 



Nov. 24, 1830. 
June 8, 1831. 
Oct. 2, 1832. 
April 3, 1833. 
April 3, 1834. 
Oct. 31, 1834. 
June IS, 1835. 

1835. 

Sept. 30, 1835. 
April 7, 1833. 

1837. 

June 14, 1837. 
April, 1840. 
April, 1842. 
May, 1842. 
October, 1842 
October, 1843 
April, 1844. 
October, 1844, 
Oct. I, 1844. 
June 24, 1845 
June, 1845. 
June 24, 1845 
May, 1846. 
May, 1846. 
April, 1847. 
April, 1847. 
October, 1846. 
April, 1849. 
June, 1849. 
Oct. 3, 1849. 
June, 1850. 
June, 1850. 
October, 1850. 
June, 1852. 
October, 1852. 
Nov., 1852. 
June, 1853. 
October, 1853. 
April, 1854. 
June, 1854. 
October, 1854. 
April, 1855. 
April, 1855. 
April, 1855. 
October, 1855. 
Nov., 1855. 
Oct. 7, 1851. 
April 12, 1852. 
Oct. 6, 1852. 
Oct. 7, 1852. 
April 12, 1853. 
April 13, 1853. 
April II, 1854. 
June 13, 1854. 



Washington, D. C. 



New Castle. 
Huntingdon. 



October, 1831. 
April 9, 1835. 



Carlisle. 
Detroit. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 



Oct. 6, 1836. 
Oct. 4, 1833. 



Philadelphia. 
Huntingdon. 
Northumberland, Eng. 
Relif, Glasgow, Scot. 
Philadelphia. 
West Jersey. 



April, 1835. 
April 16, 1840. 
October, 1833. 



October, 1831. 
April, 1843. 



Philadelphia. 
Huntingdon. 



• 1843- 

June 24, 1845. 



Glasgow, Scotland. 

New York. 

New York, First. 

New Brunswick. 

New York Association. 

New Brunswick. 

Huntingdon. 

Ohio. 

New Lisbon. 



October, 1817. 

1844. 

April, 1845. 
April, 1834. 

1839. 

October, 1838. 
October, 1846. 
April, 1845. 
May, 1848. 



Huntingdon. 

Philadelphia. 

Northumberland. 

Elizabethtown. 

New Brunswick. 

New Lisbon. 

Newry, Ireland. 

Philadelphia. 

Ohio. 

Carlisle. 

Carlisle. 

Middlesex Asso. , Conn. 

Ohio. 

Washington. 

Philadelphia. 

Bally bay. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 



June, 1850. 
April, 1823. 
Feb., 1842. 
April, 1848. 
August, 1828. 
April, 1852. 
July, 1849. 
October, 1833. 
June, 1845. 
April, 1843. 
April, 1 84 1. 
July, 1843. 
April, 1835. 
April, 1847. 
October, 1 836. 
July, 1853. 
June, 1865. 

Oct. 8, 1856. 



Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 



June 14, 1854. 
Oct. 3, 1854. 
June 14, 1-854. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



371 



By what Presbytery 
Ordained. 


When Ordained. 


When Dismissed. 


When Deceased. 






October 30, 1835. 




Philadelphia. 




July 5, 1854. 

1844. 

June 21, 1871. 
February 15, 1838. 






New Castle. 
Huntingdon. 


October, 1832. 
November 8, 1837. 


January 27, 1837. 


Carlisle. 




March 21, 1893. 
April 15, 1854. 


Detroit. 


1823. 


October 6, 1841. 
October 4, 1842. 


Huntingdon. 










Huntingdon. 


June 14, 1837. 
October, 1840. 
May, 1834. 




July 19, 1884. 

July, i860. 

May 15, '68; aet. 82. 


Huntingdon. 
Northumberland, Eng. 


Transferred 1870. 


Philadelphia. 
Huntingdon. 


February, 1832. 
January 9, 1844. 


October, 1883. 




Aug. 28, 185 1. 


Huntingdon. 


October, 1844. 


Transferred 1870. 












August, 18 1 8. 
June 24, 1845. 
May, 1846. 
October, 1835. 
June, 1843. 
February, 1840. 
September i, 1847. 
October, 1845. 
June, 1849. 




July, 1872. 


Huntingdon. 








New Brunswick. 

Erie. 

Northumberland. 


April 10, 1855. 


January 18, 1895. 
1864. 






New Lisbon. 
Huntingdon. 


April, I.SS9. 


1895. 




Huntingdon. 

Philadelphia. 

Northumberland. 

Elizabethtown. 

Redstone. 

Huntingdon. 


June, 1850. 
November, 1824. 
October, 1844. 
October, 1849. 
October, 1830. 
November, 1852. 
November, 1852. 
May, 1835. 
June, 1846. 
November 4, 1 844. 
January, 1842. 
July, 1844- 
October, 1837. 
June, 1848. 
December, 1839. 
December, 1858. 
May, 1866. 
April II, i860. 




April 19, 1869. 
August 31, 1875. 
February 19, 1 886. 

March 18, 1858. 
April 22, 1880. 
February 10, 1867 


October, 1862. 
April 13, 1858. 
April 13, 1858. 
April, 1 861. 


Newton. 

Ohio. 

Carlisle 


December, i860. 


Blairsville. 




October 7, 1863. 


Middlesex Asso., Conn. 

Ohio. 

Ohio. 

West Jersey. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 


June 9, 1857. 

April 9, . 

April, 1866. 
September 20, 1859. 

April 9. 1873- 
























November, 1 856. 
June 4, 1874. 
October, 1856. 






Northumberland. 
Huntingdon. 


October 2, 1889. 









372 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



When Received. 



When Licensed. 



Joseph H. Barnard, D.D, 
David J. Beale, D.D. 
James A. Reed, D.D. 
Daniel W. Fisher, D.D 
Edward E. Kearns . 
James H. Orbison . . 
Samuel T. Wilson, D.D 
Richard H. Morrow- 
John Moore . . . 
John M. Galloway 
N. S. Conklin . . 
John W. White . . 
James Williamson . 
Samuel T. Lowne, D.D 
George W. Zahnizer 
L. L. Haughawout 
Samuel M. Moore, D.D 
Miles Cooper Wilson 
G. Van Arsdalen . . 
W. G. E. Agnew . . 
John B. Strain . . . 
Robt.Braden Moore, D. 
J. A. Patterson . . . 
David H. Barron, D.D 
John P. Clark . . . 
W. A. Hooper . . . 
Orr Lawson, D.D. 
Oscar A. Hills, D.D. 
J. A. McGinley . . . 
William B. McKee . 
William M. Burchfield 
William C. Smith . . 
J. J. Halloway . . . 
J. C. Mahon .... 
David Stewart Banks 
Robert M. Wallace, D. 
W. C. Ijams . . . 
William Prideaux . 
William A. Fleming 
Nathan Greer White 
John H. Clark . . 
W. O. Wright . . 
John McKinney . 
J. G. Archer . . . 
John P. Hudson 
Samuel J. Milliken 
R. L. McCune . . 
John M. Linn . . 
William Y. Brown, D.D, 
S. C. McCune . 
Cochran Forbes . 
Joseph Waugh, Ph.D 
Richard M. Campbell 
R. J. Graves, D.D. 
Eugene H. Mateer 



June 14, 1854. 
Oct. 4, 1854. 
April 15, 1857. 
April 15, 1857. 
Oct. 6, 1857. 
June II, 1850. 
June 24, 1851. 
June 14, 1854. 
April IS, 1857. 
April, 1858. 
June, 1858. 
June, 1858. 
June, 1858. 
Dec, 1858. 
June, 1859. 
Oct. 5, 1859. 
Dec. 6, 1859. 
April 10, i860. 
June, i860. 
October, i860. 
October, i860. 
Dec, i860. 
June, i860. 
October, 1861. 
October, 186 1. 
October, 1861. 
June, 1862. 
Nov. 25, 1862. 
April, 1 86 1. 
Nov., 1862. 
January, 1863. 
April, 1863. 
June, 1863. 
June, 1863. 
Nov., 1863. 
April 12, 1864. 
June 13, 1864. 
August, 1864. 
August, 1864. 
October, 1864. 
October, 1864. 
June, 1864. 
April II, 1865. 
June, 1865. 
April, 1866. 
April, 1866. 
April, 1866. 
May 30, 1866. 
May, 1866. 
May, 1866. 



Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Washington. 



April, 1859. 

April 15, 1858. 
April 14, 1859. 
June, 1864. 

June 24, 1851. 
June 14, 1854. 
April, 1845. 



Newton. 

Blairsville. 

Carlisle. 

Ohio. 

Erie. 

Huntingdon. 

Philadelphia, Second. 

Huntingdon. 



1823. 

April, 1854. 
October, 1820. 
January, 1856. 

1851. 

May 30, 1866. 
April 19, 1859. 
April 12, i860. 



Chartiers Asso., '. 

Redstone. 

Huntingdon. 

Allegheny City. 

New Castle. 

Miami. 

Clarion. 

Crawfordsville. 

Huntingdon. 

Allegheny City. 

Huntingdon. 



Transylvania. 

Carlisle. 

Huntingdon. 

Newton. 

Huntingdon. 



June, 1857. 
October, 1867. 
1867. 



New Castle 

Ohio. 

New Castle. 

Philadelphia. 

Baltimore. 

Lexington. 

Huntingdon. 

Carlisle. 

Huntingdon. 

New Brunswick. 

Madison. 

Philadelphia. 

Washington. 

Huntingdon. 

Winchester. 

Huntingdon. 



— 1851. 
October, 1859. 
April, 1859. 
April, 1857. 



April, 1858. 
May, 1861. 
June, 1861. 

1858. 

April, 1861. 



1857. 

- 1852. 
June, i860. 
April, 1851. 
June 13, 1864. 

1844. 

October, 1833. 
April, 1857. 

1824. 

Dec, 1831. 

June, 1855. 
May 30, 1866. 
Oct. 15, 1852. 
June, 1838. 
April, 1831. 
April, 1859. 
April 12, 1865. 
October, 1859. 
April 15, '1874. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



373 



By what Presbytery 
Ordained. 


When Ordained. 


When Dismissed. 


When Deceased. 


Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 


June 12, i860. 
August, 1864. 






1868. 




Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 


April II, x86o. 
January, 1866. 






October 24, 1879. 






May, 1852. 












Allegheny. 


June, 1847. 


1864. 


August 13, 1888. 
April, 1865. 




1823. 

December, 1855. 

1823. 

December 8, 1858. 

1852. 

June, 1868. 
December 6, 1859. 




Carlisle. 

Luzerne. 

Huntingdon. 

Erie. 

Carlisle. 


Withdrew Sept. 6, 1883. 

April 12, 1864. 
June, 1875. 


April, 1865. 
June 12, 1889. 






October 14, 1895. 
June IS, 1870. 










Deposed Nov. 1 1, 1 868. 

1863. 

October 19, 1866. 
April, 1867. 






June 7, 1880. 
March 25, 1892. 

1865. 


Carlisle. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Redstone. 


1856. 

December, i860. 
June, i860. 
May, 1858. 
October, 1861. 
October, 1861. 
April, 1859. 
November 25, 1862. 
August, 1862. 

1859. 

January, 1863. 




Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Clarion. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Allegheny City. 

Huntingdon. 






1864. 

December, 1868. 
1865. 




October, 1868. 




April, 1866. 






May, 1859. 

1857. 

November, 1863. 
June, 1853. 




Bloomington. 
Huntingdon. 
Redstone. 




1868 


October 5, 1865. 












1844. 








October 5, 1865. 
October 7, 1884. 




Carlisle. 
Carlisle. 
Huntingdon. 
Wooster. 


June II, 1834. 
November, 1857. 
June, 1864. 

1826. 

June, 1865. 
February, 1833. 
October, 1852. 
October, 1856. 


Sept. 29, 1895. 
September, 1870. 




August 25, 1867. 
January 12, 1865. 


Huntingdon. 

Lexington. 

Florida. 


April 12, 1882. 
April 13, 1870. 








New Lisbon. 

Peoria. 

Philadelphia. 

Mississippi. 

Huntingdon. 

Orange. 

Hudson. 


June 15, 1853. 
October, 1840. 
October, 1 83 1. 
November, i860. 
June, 1867. 
November, i860. 
June 25, 1874. 


June, 1870. 
April 13, 1869. 
April 13, 1870. 


November 5, 1870. 






April, 1 87 1. 











374 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



When Received. 



When Licensed. 



William C. Kuhn . 
James P. Hughes . 
Joseph H. Fleming 
R. C. Bryson . . . 
Henry S. Butler, D.D 
John C. Wilhelm . 
W. T. Wylie . . . 
Thaddeus McCrea . 
Andrew H. Parker 
James J. Coale . , 
G. W. Newell . . 
John H. Sargent . 
Joseph C. Kelly . 
Samuel S. Wallen . 
H. E. Lipert . . . 
J. S. Roberts . . . 
Jacob V. R. Hughes 
Wm. J. Chichester, D.D, 
Stephen W. Pomeroy 
L. B. W. Shryock . 
James H. Stewart . 
James W. Boal . . 
John C. Barr . . . 
Saml. C. Alexander, 
Thomas J. Sherrard 
Thomas R. Alexander 
W. L. Condit . 
William J. Arney 
Edmund P. Foresman 
David W. Moore . 
Richard Crittenden 
William Gemmill . 
John McKean . . 
Nelson H. Miller, D 
John Laird .... 
J. Nixon Diament . 
William C. Alexander 
John S. Oliver . . 
David H. Campbell 
Thomas A. Robinson 
William W. Campbell 
M. N. Cornelius, D.D 
N. A. Hollifield, D.D, 
J. M. Goheen. . 
O. A. Kerr . . . 
William Laurie, D.D, 
Samuel W. Duffield 
George Chappe'.I . 
Robert E. Fleckinger 
Lysander T. Burbank 
Thomas McNinch . 
John R. Henderson 
"N. Foster Brown . 
John D. Owen . . 
J. Q. A. Fullerton . 



June, 1868. 
Nov., 1868. 

1868. 

April, 1869. 
June, 1869. 
October, 1869. 
Dec. 7, 1869. 
Dec. 7, 1869. 
Dec. 7, 1869. 
April 12, 1870. 
April 12, 1870. 
April 12, 1870. 
June, 1870. 
June, 1870. 
April, 1871. 
April, 1871. 
June, 1871. 
June, 1871. 
June, 1 87 1. 
June, 1871. 
August, 1871. 
October, 1871. 
October, 1871. 
October, 1871. 
October, 1871. 
April 10, 1872. 



Redstone. 
Luzerne. 



April, 1852. 



Northumberland. 

New Brunswick. 

Carlisle. 

Philadelphia Reformed. 

Tombigbee. 

Huntingdon. 

Baltimore. 

Philadelphia, Second. 

Philadelphia. 

Huntingdon. 

West Jersey. 



April, 1859. 
April, 1866. 
April, 1861. 
June, 1853. 
October, 1855. 
Oct. 7, 1868. 

1864. 

April, 1844. 
April, 1856. 

April, 1869. 



May I, 1872. 
June 10, 1873. 
October, 1873. 
October, 1873. 
October, 1873. 



April 15, 1874. 
April 15, 1874. 



New York. 

New Brunswick. 

Baltimore. 

Carlisle. 

Transylvania. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Cincinnati. 

Charleston. 

New Lisbon. 

Huntingdon. 

Newark. 

Huntingdon. 

New Castle. 

New Haven Cong. As. 

Huntingdon. 

New York, Third. 

Kittanning. 

Huntingdon. 



April 14, 1875. 
June 18, 1875. 
June 18, 1875. 
Oct. 26, 1875. 
April II, 1876. 
April II, 1876. 
April II, 1876. 
June 9, 1874. 
April 12, 1876. 
Dec. 26, 1876. 
Oct. 2, 1878. 
Oct. 2, 1878. 
June 5, 1879. 
April 10, 1879. 
Oct. 21, 1878. 
July 10, 1878. 
April 9, 1879. 
June 10, 1879. 
June 10, 1879. 



Huntingdon, 

Huntingdon, 

Huntingdon 

Huntingdon, 

Redstone. 

Pittsburg. 



Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Philadelphia. 
Knox. 



Huntingdon. 



Northumberland. 

Washington City. 

Huntingdon. 

Platte. 

New Brunswick. 



April, 1870. 

June, 1865. 
April 21, 1853. 
June, 1870. 
October, 1870. 
April, 1853. 
April, i860. 

April 10, 1872. 
June, 1850. 

June 15, 1870. 
April, i860. 
June 8, 1859. 
April 10, 1872. 
April, 1855. 
April IS, 1874. 
April 15, 1874. 



April 14, 1875. 
April 15, 1874. 
June 9, 1874. 
April 9, 1872. 
April, 1859. 
April 26, 1870. 
Oct. 18, 1869. 
June 9, 1874. 
April 12, 1876. 
April 4, 1845. 
April, 1866. 



April 10, 1877. 



April, 1878. 
April 10, 1872. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



375 



By what Presbytery 
Ordained. 


When Ordained. 


When Dismissed. 


When Deceased. 




June, 1868. 
April, 1854. 


















Northumberland. 

Burlington. 

Carlisle. 

Philadelphia Reformed. 

Tombigbee. 

Huntingdon. 

Baltimore. 

Philadelphia, Second. 

Erie. 

Winnebago. 

Huntingdon. 


October, 1859. 
June, 1866. 
December, 1864. 
May, 1855. 
October, 1856. 
December 7, 1869. 
April, 1867. 
November, 1846. 
June, 1 86 1. 
February 14, 1865. 
June, 1870. 


April "8," 1884. ■ ■ ■ ■ 
WithdrewSept. 7, 1883. 
May, 1876. 
April 9, 1873. 


April 13, 1873. 
Dec. 14, 1882. 


July 12, 1892. 
December, 1872. 
October, 1880. 


October 9, 1890. 


February 7, 1888. 
April, 1872. 




New York. 


July 2, 1861. 
April, 1870. 
June, 1871. 
June, 1868. 
November, 1855. 
August, 1 87 1. 
October, 1 87 1. 
January, 1856. 
December, 1861. 
June, 1872. 
September 24, 1873. 
October 24, 1850. 
May I, 1872. 
June 10, 1873. 
May 5, 1861. 
August I, i860. 
October 9, 1873. 
December 3, 1856. 
July 9. 1874. 










Huntingdon. 

Carlisle. 

Ebenezer. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Rock River 






April 14. 1886. 
1874. 




April, 1876. 




Concord. 
Huntingdon. 


April, 1873. 








Essex Association. 


October, 1874. 




Huntingdon. 
New Castle. 


April, 1893. 
September 4, 1883. 




Huntingdon. 

Clarion. 

Huntingdon. 


June 13, 1887. 
April 14, 1886. 
October, 1891, 








April, 1875. 










Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Redstone. 

Pittsburg. 


June 18, 1875. 
June 18, 1875. 
October 26, 1875. 
October, 1859. 
June 14, 1871. 

1870. 

June 8, 1875. 


June 10, 1884. 




October 14, 1 88 1. 
February 7, 1882. 

■ • 1885. 

March I, 1882. 


March 31, 1893. 


Huntingdon. 










June 6, 1866. 
June 4, 1866. 
March 2, 1863. 
June 5, 1879. 






Philadelphia. 
Baptist Conference. 
Chester 


October 15, 1 88 1. 








New York Con<T. Conf. 






Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 


October 21, 1878. 
July 10, 1878. 
April 9, 1879. 
June 10, 1879. 
June 4, 1873. 


June II, 1895. 
September 4, 1885. 


August 28, 1890. 


Westminster. 


December 23, 1884. 





376 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



When Received. 



When Licensed. 



John J. Francis, D.D. . 
James H. Baird, D.D. . 
Silas A. Davenport . . 
George A. Landis . . . 
George Benaugh, D.D. 
W. W. Woodend, D.D. 
John P. Coyle .... 
George R. Scott ... 

J. Vernon Bell 

David Hazel 

Herbert D. Cone ... 
Robt. S. Hitchcock, D.D. 

Levi Risher , 

David K. Freeman, D.D. 

C. M. Blake 

George S. Hacket . . . , 
William Keller Foster . , 

Richard Arthur 

Preston Barr 

Joshua L. Russell . . . , 
David W. Woods, Jr. . . 

David Conway 

Milton C. Cook 

David W. Hutchison . . 
John K. Andrews . . . . 

Harvey Shaw 

J. Clayton Garver . . . , 
R. A. McKinley, D.D. , 

J. P. Hays 

Charles S. Dewing . . , 

John Gourley 

H. B. Scott 

William McBeth . . . . 

John F. Diener 

J. Horner Kerr 

Austin H. Jolly . . . . , 
Taylor F. Ealy, M.D. . . 
Loyal Young Hays . . , 
Samuel A. Cornelius . . 

John W. Bain 

William Anderson . . . 
Charles E. Craven . . , 
James H. Orbison, Jr. . , 
Thomas E. Barr . . . . 
John R. Sansom ... 

J. S. Woodburn 

Joshua J, Wolf 

Edmund W. McDowell . 

Charles Herron 

Albert A. Bird 

John R. Davies, D.D. . . 
Wm. H. Schuyler, Ph.D. 

A. L. R. Waite 

John J. Rankin 

Emil Lewy 



Oct. 24, 1879. 
April 9, 1879. 
April 15, 1880. 
July 8, 1880. 
Oct. 5, 1880. 
April 12, 1881. 
April 13, 1881. 
Oct. 21, 1881. 
Oct. 6, 1881. 
Oct. 6, 1881. 
June 20, 1882. 
Oct. 3, 1882. 
Oct. 3, 1882. 
Oct. 3, 1882. 
Oct. 20, 1882. 



Beaver 



April 29, 



[884. 
[884. 
1884. 



Oct. 3, 1882. 
Oct. 20, 1882. 
Dec, 1882. 
April 10, 1883. 
June 12, 1883. 
Sept. 4, 1883. 
April 8, 
April 8, 
June 10, 
June 10, 1884. 
Oct. 7, 1884. 
Oct. 7, 1884. 
Oct. 7, 
Oct. 6, 
Oct. 6, 
Oct. 6, 
June, 1885. 
Oct. 7, 1885. 
April 13, 1886. 
April 13, 1886. 
April 13, 1886. 
April 14, 1886. 
April 14, 18S6. 
June 15, 1886. 
June 15, 1886. 
June IS, 1886. 
Sept. 21, 1886. 
Oct. 28, 1886. 
Oct. 28, 1886. 
April 12, 1887. 
June, 1887. 
June 13, 1887. 
June 30, 1887. 
Oct. 5, 1887. 
Nov. I, 1887. 
Dec. 6, 1S87. 
June 12, 1888. 
June 12, 1888. 
Nov. 13, 1888. 



Newark. 

Huntingdon. 

Chicago. 

Redstone. 

Huntingdon. 



April, 1870. 
June II, 1879. 
April 3, 1 87 1. 
Oct. 5, 1843- 
April 13, 1S81. 



Huntingdon. 
Philadelphia. 
Cleveland. 



June 9, 1880. 



Ohio. 
Transylvania. 

Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Westminster. 
Kittanning. 



April, 1 86 1. 
April 9, 1859. 

June 15, 1881. 
June 15. 1881. 
June 6, 1871. 
Aug. S, 1880. 



Huntingdon. 

New York. 

Lackawanna. 

New York. 

Ohio Associated Refd. 

New York. 

Washington. 

Erie. 

United Brethren. 

New Brunswick. 

Blairsville. 

New Albany. 

Baltimore. 

W. Pa. Syn. Ev. Lu. Ch. 

Northumberland. 

Clarion. 

Pittsburg. 

Warren. 

Wooster. 

U. P. Southern Ind. 



April, 1884. 
May, 1867. 
April I, 1877. 
May 14, 1882. 
April 10, 1849. 
May I, 1882. 
April, 1882. 
April, 1876. 

April,' 1868. " 
April 3, 1876. 



1870. 

April 19, 1871. 
April 9, 1879. 

1872. 

January, 1866. 

April, 1859. 



Newark. 

Huntingdon. 

Fort Wayne. 

New Brunswick. 

Monongahela U. P. 

Saginaw. 

Huntingdon. 

Pittsburg. 

Huntingdon. 

Lackawanna. 

Carlisle. 

Huntingdon. 

Newark. 

New York. 



April 18, 1867. 
April, 1861. 
Oct. 23, 18S-V 
April 13, 1 886. 

June 15', i"s8'6. 
Dec. 10, 1883. 

June 12, 1888. 
Feb. 3, i88o_. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



Z77 



When Ordained. 



When Dismissed. 



When Deceased. 



Allegheny. 



October 22, il 



June 9, 1885. 



Elizabeth. 
Huntingdon. 
Lehigh. 
Blairsville. 



April, 187 1. 
June 9, 1880. 
June 25, 1873. 
June 14, 1846. 



April 12, iS 
April IS, il 



Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 



Ohio. 
Newton. 



1859. 

October 6, 1881. 
October 6, 1881. 
June 20, 1S82. 

1844. 

November 11, 1862. 

1862. 



August 29, 1884. 
April 10, 1889. 



July 12, 1883. 
October 7, 18J 



Huntingdon. 

Westminster. 

Winona. 

Miami. 

Philadelphia, North. 

Lackawanna. 
Congregational Asso. 
Springfield As. Ref. Py. 
New York. 
Washington. 
Marion. 



October 3, 1882. 
June 6, 1 87 1. 
April II, 1882. 
August 17, 1867. 



November 21, 1871. 
April I, 1877. 
November 7, 1883. 
June, 1852. 
May 7, 1882. 
April, 1883. 
April, 1877. 



April 14, 1886. 



San Francisco. 

Kittanning. 

Washetaw. 

Albanv. 

W. Pa! Syn. Ev. Lu. Ch. 

Carlisle. 

Kittanning. 

Pittsburg. 

Huntingdon. 

U. P. Chartiers. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Albany. 

Big Spring U. P. 

Grand Rapids. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Lackawanna. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Buffalo. 

Huntingdon. 



September, 1868. 
June 6, 1878. 

1854. 

December, 1881. 

May I, 1873. 
August 5, 1880. 

1875. 

September, 1867. 
April 14, 1886. 
October, 1 861. 
June 15, 1886. 
June 15, 1886. 
September 21, 1886. 
October 28, 1886. 
June 16, 1868. 
May, 1864. 
September 29, 1885. 
June 13, 1887. 
June 30, 1887. 
October 5, 1887. 
December 10, 1883. 
December 6, 1887. 
June 12, 1888. 
November 7, 1883. 
November 13, 1888. 



April 9, 18 



July 12, 1883. 
December 5, 1882. 
December 23, 188/] 

April 9, 1884. 
December 18, 188J 



October I, 1895. 
April 10, 1888. 
April 10, 1888. 
October i, 1895. 
June 13, 1887. 
June 5, 1886. 
April II, 1893. 



June 17, 1886. 


August 27 
August 24 


1889. 
1893- 


July 9, 1889. 
October i, 1889. 




1888 

September 
June 13, I 
April 15, I 


21, 1886. 
887. 
891. 


October 2, 


1889. 


July 2, 1894. 
October 7, 1891. 
February 2, 1893. 


October I, 
April 12, I 


1889. 
893- 



378 



THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY 



When Received. 



When Licensed. 



Sylvester S. Bergen 
Arthur W. Spooner 
Frank T. Wheeler 
James E. Irvine . , 
Harry H. Henry . , 
Henry C. Baskerville 
Edgar F. Johnston 
William A. Jackson , 
T. S. Armentrout . , 
James Heaney . . , 
Samuel T. Lewis . , 
Dallas V. Mays . . 
William G. Finney 
Henry F. Means . 
Joseph B. Turner . 
H. G. Furbay, Ph.D. 
Sylvester Wylie Young 
William Harrison Decker 
Abraham L. Lathem 
George B. Troub . 
William H. Woolverton 
Robert G. Williams 
J. Edwin Giffen . . 
David E. Craighead 
William E. Stewart 
H. Howard Stiles . 
Thomas McClatchey 
Paul D. Gardner . 
James M. Wilson . 
David T. Neely . 
Henry Sylvester Welty 
Howard N. Campbell 
William Gibb .... 
John Alex. Macdonald 
George S. Bell . 
William H. Filson 
F. A. Shearer . 
Jacob C. Stewart 
J. M. Nourse . . 
William B. Noble, D, 
Alfred Yomans, D.D 
James Y. McGinnis 
Thomas C. Porter . 
John Linn Milligan 



Nov. 13, 1888. 
April II, 1889 
July 9, 1889. 
Nov. 19, 1889. 
Nov. 19, 1889. 
Oct. 7, 1890. 
Oct, 7, 1890. 
April 12, 1892, 
April 12, 1892, 
April 12, 1892, 
May 5, 1892. 
July 12, 1892. 
July 12, 1892. 
"Oct. 5, 1892. 
Feb. 2, 1893. 
April II, 1893. 
April II, 1893 
June 13, 1893 
June 13, 1893 
June 21, 1893 
April 9, 1S94 
April 9, 1894 
April 9, 1894, 
April 9, 1894 
April 9, 1894 
April 9, 1894 
July 2, 1894. 
June 13, 1893 
June 21, 1893 
June 21, 1893 
Oct. 2, 1894. 
April 9, 1895 
April 9, 1895 
April 9, 1895 
April 9, 1895 



Jan. 3, 1867 
Oct. 7, 1845 



Indianapolis. 
Cayuga. 



Mahoning. 

United Brethren Ch. 

Greenbriar. 

Philadelphia. 

Kittanning. 

Shenango. 

Huntingdon. 

Pittsburg. 

Pittsburg. 



Shenango. 

Newton. 

Washington. 

Chester. 

New Brunswick. 



Redstone. 
Kittanning. 



New Brunswick. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 

Huntingdon. 



Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 



Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 



April, 1872. 
April II, 1883. 



April 28, 1886. 

May, 1887. 

1891. 

April, 1887. 
April, 1870. 
July 12, 1892. 
April 27, 1886. 
June II, 1881. 



April 14, 18S7. 



April 10, 1894. 
April 10, 1894. 
April 10, 1895. 
Oct. 3, 1894. 



June 15, 1870. 
June 20, 1865. 
Jan. 9, 1866. 
April 12, 1865. 
April 12, 1865. 



May 7, 1844. 
June II, 1S62. 



Note. — In this roll the date of reception is the date of licensure or ordination, which 
was not always the same, as some had been candidates for some years before. But it is 
difficult to find just when some were received, as the records had not been indexed. 



OF THE PRESBYTERY OF HUNTINGDON. 



379 



When Ordained. 



When Dismissed. 



When Deceased. 



Indianapolis. 
Chemung. 
Huntingdon. 
Huntingdon. 



West Cliester. 
Allegheny. 



New Castle. 

Huntingdon. 

Erie. 

Shenango. 

Huntingdon. 

Blairsville. 

Westminster. 

Clarion. 

Huntingdon. 

Albany. 

Huntingdon. 

Chester. 

New Castle. 



Redstone. 
Redstone. 



Pittsburg. 
Huntingdon. 
Shenango. 
Dubuque. 



Huntingdon. 

St. Clairsville. 

Fargo. 

Toronto, Canada.- 

Albany. 



November 25, 1872. 
May 13, 1884. 
July 9, 1889. 
November 19, 1888. 



July 12, 1888. 



November, 1887. 
May 5, 1892. 
June 10, 1888. 
April, 1871. 
July 12, 1892. 
October 4, 1887. 
June I, 1882. 
April 28, 1 89 1. 
April 12, 1893. 
June 20, 1888. 
June 13, 1893. 
September 6, 1892. 
October 4, 1883. 

1875. 

May 24, 1892. 
December 7, 1893. 
April 15, 1882. 
June 25, 1889. 
July 2, 1894. 

1895. 

1895. 



April 12, 1893. 
December 12, 1893. 



December 12, 1893. 
April II, 1895. 



November 9, 1894. 
August 28, 1894. 



January 31, 1895. 
January 31, 1895. 



June II, 1895. 
April 10, 1895. 



October 3, 1894. 
June 7, 1888. 
March 20, 1890. 
April 26, 1883. 
February, 1876. 



May 29, 1866. 



December 22, 



The names for the most part follow in the order the date of year received. It is possible 
some have been omitted. 

No. 108 is evidently a duplicature of No. 79. 

Robert F. Wilson, Stated Clerk. 



380 THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY. 



STATED CLERKS. 



The following is the list of the Stated Clerks of the Presbytery 
during the one hundred years, with the time of service rendered by 
each : 

Rev. David Wiley, elected October 6, 1796; died November, 1800. 

Rev. John Johnston, elected April 22, 1801 ; resigned 181 1. 

Rev. John Coulter, elected 181 1 ; died June 22, 1834. 

Rev. John Hutchison, elected October 7, 1834; resigned April 9, 
1839. 

Rev. Joshua Moore, elected April 9, 1839; resigned April 10, 1844. 

Rev. William J. Gibson, D.D., elected April 10, 1844; resigned April 

10, 1849. 

Rev. Robert Hamill, D.D., elected April 10, 1849; resigned April 

11, 1893. 

Rev. Robert F. Wilson, elected April 11, 1893. 

Robert F. Wilson, Stated Clerk. 



INDEX. 



Note. — Titles are omitted when initials are given. 



Abell, Dr., 330. 
Abolitionists, 189. 

Academia Church, 65, 200-202, 215, 236, 
287. 

School, lOI. 
Act and Testament, 161. 
Adams, Jacob, 290. 

Jesse, 283-285. 

Joseph, 69. 

Joseph B., 192. 

J. B., 244, 281. 

L. C, 82. 

Martin, 124. 

M. R., 224. 

T. H., 306. 

Wm., 256. 
Africa, 331, 339. 
Africa, J. Simpson, 168. 
Airy Dale, 321. 
Airy View Academy, 202. 
Aisquith Street Church, 215. 
Aitkens, James, 220. 

John T., 310. 

J. J., 220. 
Akers, John T., 165. 
Alaska, 354, 357, 360. 
Alaske Club, 358. 
Albany, N. Y., 233. 
Albany Presbytery, 181. 
Alexander, Albert, 193. 

Ann E., 47. 

A. F., 219. 

David, 47, 201. 

George, 124. 

Henry P., 192. 

Hugh, 45, 47, 151, 193, 201, 217, 220. 

Jarhes, 69, 149. 

James H., 192, 300. 



Alexander, Jemima, 46. 

John, 124, 215, 249. 

John E., 193. 

Margaret, 46. 

Oscar, 192. 

Randall, 249, 250. 

Robert, 294. 

Samuel, 69, 149, 191. 

Samuel C, 228, 249, 250. 

Thomas, 69, 149. 

William, 129, 250. 

William C, 193. 
Alexandria Church, 61, 62, 98, 99, 105, 107, 
108, 168, 262, 275, 302, 349, 355, 363. 

Town of, 63, 105, 106, 159, 161, 225, 
342, 343, 348, 3S2-3SS, 360. 
Aley, Samuel, 301. 
Alhambra, Calif., 222. 
Alleghany College, 144. 

Mountains, 63, 159. 

Presbytery, 121. 

River, 159. 

Seminary, 116, 199, 269. 
Allen family, 99. 

Harry, 312. 

Martha A., 207. 

Mrs. R. H., 358- 

R. H., 357. 

Sarah, 318. 

W.J., 113. 
Allender family, 54. 
Allensville Church, 285, 286, 321. 

Town of, 286. 
Allison, David, 307. 

Mary, 342. 

Matthew, 102, 197, 198, 289. 

Mrs. William, 307. 

Robert, 69, 149. 

381 



382 



Allison, Robert K., 286. 
Alman, Dr., 315. 
Alrich family, 99. 
Altoona City Hall, 112. 
Fifth Church of, no. 
First Church of, 31, loS, 109-III, 1 15, 
117, 119, 121, 164, 188, 310, 335, 354, 
356, 357. 363- 
Fourth Church of, no. 
Reformation Memorial, 115. 
Second Church of, 31, 109-III, I14, I16, 
117, 119, 120, 175, 222, 311, 335, 
354, 357, 362, 364- 
Third Church of, no, 115, n7-i20, 175, 
312. 
Altoona, Pa., 108, in, 119, 175, 177, 193, 
195, 222, 270, 328, 333, 339, 348, 352- 

354, 358, 359- 
American Sunday-School Union, 192, 299. 
Amesville, Pa., 167, 325. 
Anderson, Ann E., 295. 

Charles A., 177. 

E. L., 215. 

family, 99. 

James, 214. 

Thomas, 45. 

William, 147, 157. 

W. Y., 176, 177. 
Annan, Wm., 187, 188, 284. 
Ansonville Baptist Church, 157. 

Church, 157. 
Ansonville, Pa., 156. 
Antietam, Md., 80, 102. 
Appleby, Alec, 242. 

A. M., 376. 

John, 241, 242, 246. 

Thos. A., 223, 224, 315, 329. 
Appomattox, 102. 
Arbutus Mission Band, 118. 
Archer, James G., 142, 143. 
Archey, Johnson, 228, 319. 
Arch Springs, Pa., 63, 305, 306, 334, 336, 362. 
Ard, Joseph, 45, 47. 
Ardery, James, 259. 
Armentraut, T. S., 269. 
Armitage, Caleb, 168. 

G. Barton, 170. 

Isaac, 169. 
Armstrong family, 60. 



Armstrong, George F., 113, 115, 119. 
Isaac, 285. 
John, 41, 159, 160, 201. 

Laura, 322. 

L., 130. 

Mary Jane, 46. 

Thomas, 45, 

William, 205. 
Arnold, John, 150. 

Master, 68. 
Arnot Church, 166. 
Arters, Hugh, 241, 246. 
Arthur family, 54. 

Rev., 281. 

Scott R., 231. 

Thomas, 69, 149. 
Ashbaugh, John, 169. 
Ashburn, William, 119. 
Atkinson, Emily, 207. 

Susan, 207. 
Aughwick Church, 19, 241-243. 

Valley, 159. 
Auld family, 99. 
Aults, Nannie, 316. 
Aurand, Abram, 227, 309. 
Aurison, Nicholas, 45. 
Ayres family, 99. 

Baer, Milton, 199. 
Bailey family, 321. 

John M., 48, 80. 

Mrs. Charles L., 357. 

Mrs. John M. , 340, 348, 350-354,356, 359- 

Mrs. T. W., 320. 

Robert M., 279. 

T. W., 320. 
Baileyville, Pa., 321. 
Bain, Clara, 359. 

John W., 13, 109, II5-I20, 312. 

Mrs. John W., 339. 
Baird, James H., 237, 239, 298. 

Mary A., 47. 

William, 129. 
Baker, Anna H,, 112. 

Benjamin F., 214, 314. 

C. S., ni. 

Dr., 119. 

John, 309. 

Joseph, 192. 



Baker, J. R., 248. 

Mary, 309. 

Mrs. John, 309. 
Bald Eagle Church, 122, 124, 223,235,251, 
323, 324, 344- 
Creek, 53, 64. 
Nest, S3, 68. 
Town of, 67. 
Valley, 122, 183. 
Baltimore College, 136. 

Presbytery, 113, 187. 
Baltimore, Md., 215. 
Bangkok, First Church, 238. 
Banks, David T., 239, 297. 

Ephraim, 81, 82, I02, 180, 182, 306, 307. 

John, 87. 

Thaddeus, 82. 

William, 290. 
Baptists, 132, 133, 190, 292, 300, 303, 312, 

313,361. 
Barber, James, 259. 
Barclay, Mrs. N. C, 311, 348, 354, 358. 

Mrs. S. R., 352. 

William H., 213. 
Bard, David, 23, 42, 63, 70, 142, i6o, 161, 

260, 261, 290. 
Bare, Mrs. Eva, 222. 
Barker, John, 56. 
Barnard, Elizabeth, 47. 

James, 47. 

Joseph H., 48, 127, 137, 194, 203, 273. 

Robert, 46. 

Barnes, Anna, 112. 

Barnett, Charles A., 

family, 99. 

Joseph, 45. 
Barnhill, Robt., 69, 
Barr, Adam, 317. 

Allie, 303. 

David, 56, 70, 149, 259. 

John C, 48, 61, 99, 106, 108, 193, 21 
232, 297, 353, 356, 358. 

John D., 152. 

Joseph, 167. 

J.N., 113. 

Mrs. John C, 342, 350, 352, 353, 358. 

Preston, 227. 

Sally, 304. 

Samuel, 180, 192, 285. 



76. 



149. 



Barr, Samuel W., 274, 278, 280. 

S. W., 316. 

William, 151. 

William C, 280. 
Barron family, 304. 

David H., 11-13, 15, 113, 163, 174, 247, 
274, 282,. 304, 335, 353. 

Mrs. D. H., 334, 339. 
Bartlett, Margaret, 207. 
Bartley, Mary, 174. 

Mrs. William, 45. 

William, 45. 
Barton, David R., 215. 

John, 214. 

Joshua L., 202. 

L. J., 202. 
Baskerville, H. C, 258, 264, 326, 329. 
Bates, David, 220. 
Bathgate, Richard, 305. 
Battin, Joseph, 278. 
Bawn, Joseph, 192. 
Beale, David J., 48, 214, 215, 230, 231. 

Hannah, 46. 

James, 46. 

Jane, 47. 

J. Henry, 203. 

Mrs., 45. 

Rachel, 46. 

S. McC.,215. 

Township, 200. 

William D., 45, 46. 

W. L., 214. 
Beard, William, 46. 

Beatty, Charles, 19, 41-44, 49, 50, 58, 59, 65, 
67, 70, 160, 197, 200, 203, 204, 235, 
236, 240, 287. 

family, 99, loi. 

John, 151, 217, 220. 

James R., 152. 
Beaver Dams, 41. 

Falls Church, 279. 
Beaver, James A., 7, 11, 12, 14, 38, 65, 78, 
90, loi, 129, 153, 321. 

Mrs. James A., 352, 354. 
Beck, James, 45. 

Nathaniel, 45, 301. 
Bedford Church, 19, 67, 70, 155, 260, 296. 

County, 71, 73, 74, 76, 77, 82, 295, 329 
Bedford, la., 144. 



384 



Bedford, Pa., 72, 73, 210, 295,319, 322, 335, 

353- 
Beeman, Denton, 210. 
Beers, Henry, 247. 

L. H., 248. 
Behel, Jane, 47. 

Mary, 47. 

William, 47. 
Bell, Ade. K., 194. 

B. F., 195. 

David, 45. 

Edith, 313. 

Elmer E., 213. 

family, 313. 

James, 241. 

James M., 80, 342. 

John, 192, 246, 300. 

John M., 220. 

J. D., 272. 

J. Vernon, 193,219, 298. 

Lizzie, 313, 354. 

Martin, 57, 76. 

Mrs. Samuel, 313. 

Mrs. Thompson, 191. 

Samuel, 241, 242. 

William, 43, 45, 201, 290. 

W. T., 224. 
Bellefonte Church, 102, 122, 125-129, 140, 
146, 178, 183, 194, 215, 220, 271, 273, 

278, 343- 
Bellefonte, Pa., 125, 229, 321, 334, 335, 337, 

339, 347, 349, 352, 354. 
Belleville Church, 285, 286. 
Belleville, Pa., 188, 321, 339. 
Bellevue, la., 193. 
Bell's Gap R. R., 320. 
Bell's Hall, 112. 

Mills, 19s, 274, 313. 
Church, 263. 
Bellwood Church, loi, 195. 

School, loi. 
Bellwood, Pa., 177, 194, 195, 210, 313, 354, 

356, 359- 
Benaugh, George, 289. 
Benedict, A. W., 80. 

E. L., 81. 

N. W., 302. 
Benner, G. O., 326. 
Bergen, Sylvester S., 12, 152, 285, 286. 



Berks County, 81. 
Berry, Benjamin J., 259. 

James, 246. 

John, 47, 246. 

Nancy, 47. 
Berwinsdale Church, 157. 
Berwinsdale, Pa., 324. 
Bethel Church, 130, 248, 328. 
Belts, Alice, 308. 

Frederick G., 139, 142, 143, 146, 147, 
157, 259. 

W. W., 143. 
Beulah Church, 130, 165, 166, 210, 305. 
Biddle, Hyland, 259. 

John A., 294. 
Bigham, John, 246. 

Robert, 249. 

Samuel, 42. 
Bigler, Pa., 139, 178, 179, 319. 
Bigler, William, 38, 78, 143, 144. 
Birchfield, Rev. William, 157. 
Bird, A. A., 166. 

Miss, 338. 
Birmingham Church, 127, 131-137, 194, 264, 

273, 274, 303, 304- 

Ridge, 134. 

Seminary, lOI. 
Birmingham, Pa., 132, 134, 303, 334. 
Bishop, Garry, 142, 143, 147. 

George, 146. 
Bitner, Elliott, 315. 
Black, J. S., 74, 76, 82. 

Mary, 309. 

Mrs. A. M., 311. 

William, no. 
Black Oak Rock, iii. 
Blackburn, Joseph H., 294, 300. 
Blades, James, 166, 325. 
Blaine, Ephraim, 100. 

James G., 100. 
Blair, Alexander, 141, 246, 309. 

Alexander Carron, 281. 

Brice, 244. 

David, So, 171, 302. 

family, 326. 

James M., 124. 

John, 100, 141, 164. 

John McConnell, 281. 

J- C., 7, 173- 



385 



Blair, J. M., 326. 

Mrs. David, 302. 

Samuels., 82, 165, 276, 278, 280, 
316, 329. 
Blair County, 57, 71, 75, 76, 78-So, 82, 
loi, 102, 278, 312, 329. 

Factory, 173. 
Blairville Presbytery, 21 1, 218, 269. 
Blam, Miss, 327. 
Blanchard, John, 78. 
Blodgett, Mr., 77. 
Bloody Run, 155. 
Bloom, Abraham, 158. 

Conrad, 158. 

William A., 158. 
Bloom's Barn, 146. 
Blymyer, Benjatnin, 240. 
Blythe, Calvin, 76. 
Boal, George, 259. 

J. W., 239, 264, 297. 

Lizzie, 31S. 
Boalsburg, Pa., 253. 
Board of Church Erection, 237, 273. 
Boas family, 99. 
Boden, Stiles K., 202. 
Boggs, Andrew, 53. 

Francis, 191, 192. 

James, 138. 

John, 45, 201. 

Robert, 128. 
Bolinger, Emanuel, 233. 

John C, 228. 

Michael, 242. 

Simon, 247. 
Bomberger family, 99. ^ 

Book, Henry L., 281. 

Mrs. Henry L., 281. 
Boone, G. W., 230, 31S. 
Boozer, Henry, 259. 
Border, Thomas, 282. 
Bortel, George, 207. 

Jennie, 207. 
Bower, Charles, 226, 309. 
Bowles, Blair N., 177. 

C. B., 113, 279. 
Bowman, John M., 112, 113. 
Boyd, Alexander, 157. 

family, 99. 

Mrs. M. E., 356. 



Boyd, W. A., 261, 265. 
Boy's Brigade, 122, 364. 
Bracken, John, 301. 
Bradford Church, 139, 295. 
Bradford, William, 51. 
Brainerd, David, 41, 235. 
Brandt, Anna, 306. 

Daniel, 249, 306. 
Bratton, Ada J., 207. 

Andrew, 67, 204. 

Anna May, 207. 

Bertha M., 207. 
■ Catherine S., 207. 

Charles, 207. 

Charles B., 207. 

Clyde R., 207. 

Elisha, 207. 

Elisha R., 207. 

Emma J., 207. 

family, 58. 

Grace E., 207. 

Hannah, 207. 

Hester A., 207. 

John, 207. 

Joseph R., 207. 

Margaret R., 207. 

Martha J., 207. 

Mary A., 207. 

Rebecca J., 207. 

Susan, 207. 

S. S., 228. 

Thaddeus E., 207. 

William B., 207. 
Bratton Church, 67. 

Township, 60, 67. 
Brazil, 219. 

Breckenridge, James G., 239. 
Brewster, Charley, 306. 

Frank, 306. 

Henry, 249, 306. 

John, 249, 306. 

Mary, 223. 

Mrs. William H., 306. 

William H., 306. 
Brice, Eleanor, 47. 

James, 47. 

Jane, 46. 

Rachel, 47. 

Ruth, 47. 



386 



Brice, Sarah S., 47, 
Bridges, Jennie, 308. 
Briggs, Benjamin, 342. 
Brimmer, Anna L., 207. 

Leamon W., 207. 

Mary L,, 207. 

Sadie C, 207. 

Sarah, 207. 
Brisbin, G. H., 174. 

George M., 230. 
Briton, Wm. G., 363. 
Broad Avenue Church, no, 116, 119, 121, 

164, 313- 
Brooks, Docia, 310. 

Brotherhood of Andrew- and Philip, 233, 364. 
Brotherton, Bobert, 57, 68, 282, 286. 
Brower, Rebecca B., 207. 
Brown, Alexander, 69, 149. 

Anna'B., 207. 

A. O., 249. 
Benjamin E., 207. 

B. F., 130. 
H. W., 318. 
John D., 317. 
Joseph, 69, 149, 300. 
Joseph S., 310. 
Judge, 57, 68, 148. 
Margaret J., 207. 
Matthew, 197, 288. 
Mrs., 320. 

Myron L., 207. 

N. Foster, 227. 

Robert, 242. 

Roland A., 281. 

Samuel T., 80, 170, 212. 

Thomas, 69, 149. 

T. R., 313- 

William, 69, 149. 

W. A., 230. 

W. Y., 231. 
Browne, Catherine C, 207. 

Hattie, 349. 

T. R., 176. 
Brunebaker, Ellen, 176. 
Brush Valley Church, 250. 
Bryan, Mrs. S. S., 350. 
Bryn Mawr College, 136. 
Bryson, Aunt Polly, 361. 

John, 23, 161. 



Bryson, Mary, 47, 361. 

Mrs., 304. 

R. C, 235. 

Samuel, 62, 261, 264, 265. 
Buchanan, Arthur, 69, 70, 149. 

Claudius, 355. 

George, 169. 

Mary, 295. 

Mrs. Dr., 63. 

President, 73. 
Bucher family, 99. 

J. C.,76. 
Buck, Samuel, 236, 314. 
Bucknell College, 135. 
Buffalo Church, 257. 

Buifalo Run Church, 140, 141, 235, 251. 
Buffalo Run, Pa., 129, 319, 351. 
Bunker Hill, 102. 
Buoy, John M., 247. 
Burbank, Marquis, 231. 
Burchfield, William M., 130, 146, 157, 304. 

Mrs. William M., 324. 
Burd, J. Shippen, 247. 
Burkett, Grace, 306. 
Burnes, Elizabeth, 46. 

James, 70, 149. 

John C, 231. 

Ruth, 46. 

Sarah, 46. 
Burnside, James, 74, 78. 

Thomas, 73-76, 78. 

William, 259. 
Burr, Aaron, 51. 
Bush, William, 196. 
Bushman, Sadie, 326. 
Butler, H. S., 142, 143, 308, 329. 

John, 219. 

Mrs., 219, 334. 

Mrs. Plenry, 354. 

Mrs. John, 338. 
Butts, George C, 259, 325. 

James D., 282, 298. 

Cadwallader, Emily, 291. 

John, 169. 
Calderwood, Catherine, 207. 
Caldwell, Alexander, 166. 

Charles, 105. 

David, 107. 



INDEX. 



1^7 



Caldwell family, 54. 

G. Bishop, 146. 

James, 105. 

James B., 146. 

Kate, 328. 

Lizzie, 309. 

Matthew, 146. 

Mr., 62, 132. 

Mrs. J. C, 347, 348. 

Reuben, 158, 324. 

Samuel, 248. 

S. A., 140. 

S. D., 248. 

Thomas, 316. 

W. J., 145, 146, 328. 
Caldwell building, 272. 
Calhoun, William, 124. 
California, 79. 
Calvin, John, 88. 

Samuel, 78, 82. 
Cambria County, 75, 79. 
Camden First Church, 1 16. 
Cameron, Christine, 325. 

family, 325. 

J. A., 230. 

J. R., 318. 

Peter, 166, 210, 325. 
William R., 166. 
Campbell, A. A., 273. 
A. E., 112. 

Benjamin H., 49. 178, 201, 213. 
Blanche, 276. 
Cornelius, 111-113, 115. 
D. H., 139, 157, 178, 223, 225, 227, 228, 
249, 299, 313, 315, 316, 324, 328, 329. 
family, 212, 313, 324. 
Fannie M., 112. 
Hugh, 230, 318. 
Hugh A., 112, 273, 277, 278. 
H. A., 299. 
H. M., 121, 122, 178. 
I. O., 235. 

John, 193, 195, 235, 313. 
John M., Ill, 112. 
Joseph, 241, 242, 246, 285, 285. 
J. B.,313. 
J. Oliver, 286. 
Lizzie, 112. 
Maggie, 112. 



Campbell, Martha, 313. 

Matthew F., 212. 

Mrs. A. H., 224. 

Mrs. D. H., 339. 

Mrs. J. M., 312. 

M. T., 315. 

Oliver, 321. 

Rebecca, 291. 

Robert, 70, 122, 124, 149, 291. 

Robert L., 286. 

R. G., 276. 

R. H., III. 

R. M., 152, 178, 237, 285. 

Samuel, 248, 281. 

Susan, 336. 

Thomas, 45. 

Thomas E., 113. 

William, 273, 377. 
Campbellites, 74. 
Canan, Catherine, 241. 

Henry, 113. 

John A., I19-122, 311, 313. 

Lizzie M., 121. 

W. T., 316. 
Candor, David, 81. 
Cannan, William T., 279. 
Cannon, Governor, 102. 
Canoe Valley Church, 292, 293. 
Cape May, N. J., 189. 
Cape of Good Hope, 238. 
Carlisle Presbytery, 7, 20, 24, 27, 65, 70, 71, 
99, loi, 125, 126, 150, 160, 168, 171, 
190, 203, 214, 218, 236, 254, 255, 260, 
274, 280, 345, 347, 357. 
Carlisle, Pa., 43, 65, 76, 163, 239, 250, 255, 

273. 346, 347, 350- 
Carothers, Jane, 291. 

John, 291. 

Samuel, 249. 
Carroll, Benjamin, 205, 225, 226, 249, 309. 
Carson, Joseph, 259. 
Carver, George, 45. 
Casner, Frederick, 45. 
Cass, Joseph K., 277. 
Castor, John A., 113. 
CattoU, W. C, 276. 
Caveny, Reuben, 199. 

Cedar Creek Church, 42, 55, 56, 250-252, 
255- 



388 



Cedar Spring, 196. 

Cedar Springs Church, 19, 42, 44, 49, 51, 52, 

65, 66, 68, 196, 197, 200, 287, 288. 
Cemeteries, 58, 63, 66, 105, 107, 139, 154, 

156, 160, 161, 186, 187, 196, 204, 206, 
232, 240, 244-246, 252, 254, 256, 283, 
286, 293, 300. 

Centennial Anniversary, 7, 64, 98, 173, 195. 

Hymn, 103. 
Central Church, 264. 

Central Pennsylvania Telephone Co., 279. 
Central Wayne, 60, 204. 
Centre Church, 42. 

County, 53, 55, 63, 66, 68, 71, 74-76, 78, 
79, 102, 125, 234, 270, 329. 

Hall, 252. 

Hill, 251, 252. 
Chambers, General, 100, loi. 

Robert, 59. 
Chambersburg, First Church, 256. 

Seminary, loi. 
Chambersburg, Pa., 72, 74, 80, 347, 348. 
Chapels, 107, 113, 120, 121, 128, 133, 143, 

157, 164, 173, 176, 177, 218, 253, 293, 298, 
302, 308, 312, 321, 324, 325, 360, 361. 

Chappell, George, 140, 178, 190, 294, 295. 

Charlestown, First Church, 62. 

Chichester, W. J., 1 13, 114, 329. 

Chile, 115. 

China, 132, 134, 13s, 143, 219, 273, 330, 331, 

334, 335. 338. 339, 357- 
Chincleclamoose, 63, 64, 142, 145, 242. 
Christians, 74, 76. 
Christy, Jacob A., 82, 290, 304. 

William, 45. 
Church, Anna, 317. 
Church Hill, 153, 201. 
Cincinnati, O., lOI, 162. 
Civil War, 345. 
Clarion Presbytery, 276, 298. 
Clark, A. B., 109, in, 178, 272. 

Albert, 240. 

Annie I., 358, 359. 

David D., 206, 222, 226, 239. 

George C, 207. 

Henrietta, 301. 

Isaac, 211. 

John, II, 137, 178, 264, 293,294. 

John H., 229, 240, 274, 275, 316. 



Clark, John P., 190. 

Mrs., 308. 

Rettie M., 206, 207. 

Rev., 139, 178. 

Robert B., 207. 

Rowan, 195, 278, 313. 

W. A. B., 240, 275. 
Clearfield Church, 31, 63, 142-144, 146, 154, 
307, 308, 335, 350, 354, 357, 359. 

County, 63, 71, 74, 75, 78, 79,!i46, 156, 
190, 329. 
Clearfield, Pa., 79, 142, 144, 178, 339. 
Clements, James, 241, 242, 246. 

Robert, 242. 
Clemson, A. E., 321. 
Cline, David, 320. 
Close, Henry L., 152. 
Clover, Philip, 69, 149. 
Clugage, Agnes, 241. 

Gavin, 241, 246. 

Jane, 241. 

Thomas, 241, 246. 

Widow, 246. 
Coale, J. J., 306, 199, 263, 318. 
Coalport Church, 145, 327. 
Coalport, Pa., 278. 
Coburn, James P., 78. 
Coder, Samuel, 47. 
Coeland, David, 226. 
Coffee Run, 355. 
Coldren, Michael, 199. 
Coleraine Forge, 321, 350. 
Colin, Reuben R., 240. 
Collins, Britton E., 178, 211, 212, 221, 228, 

243. 249, 296, 314. 
Condit, W. W., 184, 230. 
Cone, Herbert, 155. 
Confederates, 80. 

Congress, 63, 73, 78, 81, 82, 160, 161. 
Conklin, N. S., 157. 
Conley, Isaiah, 240, 326. 

Richard, 140, 141. 
Conner, James A., 207. 
Conococheague, 159. 
Conrad, Catherine, 207. 

Edmund, 207, 209. 
Constitutional Convention, 75, 77, 78. 
Converse, John H., in. 
Conway, David, 292, 329. 



INDEX. 



389 



Cook, Eliza C, 295. 
James, 56. 
James B., 286. 
John, 29s, 296. 
Milton L., 233. 
Coolbroth, Mary S., 358. 
Coons, J. R., 319. 

Solomon, 228, 319. 
Cooper, John, 69, 149, 150. 
Robert, 151. 
Samuel M., 51, 66, 139, 142, 154, 178, 

183, 184, 189. 
Thomas, 73. 
Copeland, David, 309. 
Corbett, Robert, 309. 

William, 69, 149, 309. 
Corea, 331. 
Corkle, E. May, 207. 
Martha J., 207. 
Maud L., 207. 
Cornelius, N. M., 109, 114, 353, 356, 358. 

S.A.,233. 
Cornely, James, 131, 210. 
Mrs. James, 305. 
W. B., 305. 
Cornman, H. J., 316. 
Cornmesser, A. M., 196. 
Cottage Church, 130. 
Coulter, James, 215, 281. 

John, 34, 44-47, 201, 214. 
J. S., 315- 
Mary Jane, 46. 
Samuel, 207, 227. 
Sarah, 207. 
Council Bluffs Presbytery, 145. 
Council, S. B., 177. 
Court of Common Pleas, 171. 
Covanhovan, John, 169. 
Covert, Mrs. A., 315. 
Covington, Pa., 347, 348. 
Cowden family, 99. 
Coyle, James, 214. 
Craig, Nannie, 112. 
Craighead, David Elder, 146, 147. 
Craine family, 99, 313. 
Cramer, Mary Ann, 207. 
Craven, Charles E., 137. 
Cravi^ford, Armstrong, 264. 
Ella K., 306. 



Crawford, Emma J., 306. 
Foster, 306. 

James A., 276, 278, 279. 
John A., 306. 
Levinia, 306. 
Mark G., 280. 
Cree, David, 242. 
John, 165. 
Samuel H., 278. 
Cresswell, Benjamin, 70, 149. 
Elisha, 70, 149. 
John, 82. 
Crewitt, J. A., 320. 
Crissell, Elijah, 69, 149, 150. 
Crissman, George W., 220. 
Criswell, Cyrus, 207. 
Elizabeth M., 244. 
Eliza S., 342, 348, 350. 
George M., 320. 
James, 205, 206. 
Crocker, William, 247. 
Crone, Robert, 214. 
Cronomiller, Jacob, 124. 
Crouch, D. O., 146. 
Hal., 323. 
Lizzie, 323. 
Crouse, M. Perry, 116, 312. 
Crowther, Emily, 272. 

James, 241, 242, 246, 247. 
John, 247. 
Samuel, 247. 
Sarah, 272. 
Cubertson, John, 70. 
Culbertson, Denton D., 247. 
family, 55. 
John, 149. 
Samuel, loo. 
Culpepper, Va., 193. 
Cumberland County, 73, 159, 287. 

Valley, 183. 
Cummings, Joseph, 290. 
Cunning, Thomas, 293, 294. 
Cunningham, David, 290. 
Jane E,, 359. 
Miss, 338. 
Mrs., 334. 
Thomas, 192. 
William, 290. 
William R., 294. 



390 



Cupples, T. H., 2IO. 

Curran, Richard, 217, 248. 

Currie, H. C, 177. 

Curry, Mr., 77. 

Curtin, A. G., 38. 

Curwensville Church, 142, 145, 146. 

Curwensville, Pa., 146, 323. 

Custer, Benjamin F., no, 311. 

Daily offering, II5. 
Dana, Dr., 81. 
Danville, N. J., 190. 
Dauberman, Mrs. John, 326. 
Daudson, W. R., 145. 
Davenport, S. A., 202, 215, 231. 
Davies, John R., I15, 275, 280, 364. 
Davis, Barty, 242. 

Elmer, 130. 

family, 54. 

H. P., 120, 122. 

James, 107. 

John, 247. 

J. Bruce, 224. 

Mary, 207. 

Mary H., 120. 

Miss, 303. 

Morris, no. 

N. J., 134, 136. 

Patrick, 107. 

Samuel, 259. 

Thomas, 124, 199. 

Thomas A., 326. 

T. K., 239. 

W. S., 298. 
Dean, Alexander, 168. 

Amanda M., 207. 

James, 105, 107. 

John, 75, 77, 105, 107, 169. 

Samuel, 294. 
Dearduff, Abraham, 169. 
Decker, William H., 153, 181, 182, 329. 
Deen, J. H., 310. 
Deiner, Mrs. J. F., 326. 
Denver, Colo., 306, 349. 
Derry Church, 70, 204, 278. 

Township, 67. 
Detrick, John, 290. 
Devor, B. J., 315. 
De Wees, Emma, 354. 



De Wing, C. S., 202. 

Dickens, Charles, 99. 

Dickenson College, 73, loi, 125. 

Dickey, E. S., 351. 

Dickson, George A., 138. 

Diener, John F., 231," 239, 244, 281. 

Mrs. John F., 326. 
Dillen, John, 45. 

District of Columbia Presbytery, 217. 
Dixon, Dunlap, 247. 

family, 99. 
Dobbins, Eliza, 343. 
Doll, Ida, 357. 
Dom, Leonard D., 233. 
Donaldson, Colonel, 212. 

family, 212. 

J. H., 239. 

Moses, 169. 

William, 314. 
Donegal Presbytery, 18, 20, 21, 51, 53, 56, 65, 
66, 67, 71, 148, 185, 189, 203, 204; 236, 
250, 254. 
Donnelly, Keziah, 272. 

Mrs., 45. 
Doremus, Mrs. T. C, 330, 346. 
Dorland, Jane, 301. 
Dorris, Mrs. Julia A., 340. 

Mrs. William, 335, 339, 342, 347, 348, 
350-354, 358- 

William, 80, 170, 173, 302. 
Dorsey, Ellen, 342. 

Mary, 342. 
Dorter, R. W., 249. 
Dotts, Callie, 320. 
Doty, Edmund S., 82, 102, 290, 304. 

Hannah, 306. 

Lucian W., 82. 
Dougall, Rev., 63. 
Dougherty, Hugh, 246. 

J.S., 117. 
Douglas, David, 306. 

John, 249, 306. 

Kate, 306. 

Martha, 306. 

Samuel, 249, 306. 
Dover Church, 121. 
Dover, Del., 1 16. 
Downs, John, 242. 
Drake, John, 309. 



391 



Dry Hollow Church, 133, 134. 
Dry Hollow, Pa., 62, 265. 
Dry Valley Church, 150, 185, 205. 
Dry Valley, Pa., 185, 188. 
Dubois Second Church, 298. 
Dubois, Pa., 193. 
Dubree, D. S., 233. 

Duffield, George, 19, 42, 44, 49, 50, 65, 114, 
197, 200, 203, 236, 287, 335. 

S. W., 114, IIS, 335. 
Dull, Hannah C, 207. 
Duluth, Minn., 279. 
Duncan, David, 307. 

Mary E., 307. 

Thomas, 73. 
Duncansville Church, 121, 147, 158, 162, 

163. 
Duncansville, Pa., 162, 322. 
Dunlap, James, 128. 

John A., 162. 

John T., 291. 

Mr., 294. 

Samuel, 327. 
Dunmire, Anna, 207, 209. 

Anna E., 207. 
Dunn, Catherine, 291. 

James, 291. 
Dyer, Mi.ss F. A., 347, 348, 351, 356, 357. 

W. N., 146. 
Dysart, Alexander, 264. 

Aunt Ann, 1 14. 

Ella M., 112. 

Emma, 1 12. 

James A., 227, 309. 

James H., 107, ill, 112, 233, 303, 309, 

311. 324- 
John, 107. 

Joseph, 111-I13, 165. 
J. E., 213, 314. 
Lizzie, 1 1 2. 
Mrs. James H., 119. 
Mrs. M. A., 112. 

Eagleton, John, 247. 

Ealy, P. T., 240. 

East Freedom Church, 147. 

East Kishacoquillas Church, 42, 57, 58, 68, 

70, 147, 148, 150-154, 185-187, 204, 205, 

216-219, 275, 282, 283, 322. 



East Penn Valley Church,' 54-57,[_i32, 251, 

252, 254, 255. 
East Waterford Church, 214, 215. 
East Waterford, "Pa., 323. 
Eaton, John, 166. 
Eberly, Abram, 300. 
Eden Valley, Pa., 134, 303, 304. 
Edinburg Universities, 175. 
Edwards, W. H., 131. 
Egle family, 99. 

Egle's Pennsylvania'Genealogies, 99. 
Eichelberger, Mrs., 309. 
Elder family, 99. 

George W., 81, 

Jesse R., 290. 

Mary J., 363. 

Miss, 358, 359. 

Mrs., 334. 

Mrs. George, 352. 

Thomas, 290. 

Thomas A., 304. 
Eliot, Thomas, 242. 
Elkland, Pa., 347. 
Ellenbarger, 133. 
Ellinvvood, 335. 
Elliott, Benjamin, 168. 

David, 34, 47. 

George, 11, 12, 64, 98, 99,^100, 106, 108, 
123, 141, 151, 152, 153, 213, 224, 228, 
23s. 237, 270,^292, 324,^358. 

James, 169. 

John, 133, 152, 153, 263, 267, 272, 291, 
297. 

R. Frank, 290, 304. 
Ellsworth, Josiah F., 294. 

Mrs. Josiah F., 301. 
Elmira, N. Y., 115. 
Ely, Rev., 355. 
England, 176, 330. 
English, Mary, 313. 
Episcopalians, 75, 80, 169, 173. 
Erie County, 100. 

Presbytery, 230,°283. 

Synod, 345, 350. 
Erwin, Estelle, 207. 

Rosanna Matilda, 207. 

Sarah K., 207. 

William, 207. 

William E., 209. 



39^ 



Erwin, William H., 207. 

William I., 207. 
Esh, David B., 42. 
Espy family, 77, 99. 
Esterline, Mrs. G. M., 312. 

Rebecca, 313. 
Europe, 102. 

Everett Church, 155, 325. 
Everett, Pa., 298, 339. 
Evs^ing, A. G., 321. 

Captain, 308, 309. 
' Carrie M., 207, 209. 

John C, 279. 

Lizzie L., 208, 209. 

Samuel, 227, 228. 

William G., 224, 315. 

Fait, Silas, 240. 
Falkender, Samuel, 242. 
Fareman, William, 242. 
Faust, R. J., 224. 
Fike, Alice M., 208. 
Findley, Alexander B., 113. 

Alexander T., 1 16, 312. 

Governor, 73. 
Finley, William R., 165. 
Finney, William G., 227-229, 249, 250, 

329- 
Fisher, Anna, 302. 

Horatio G., 247. 

Jesse, 264. 

J. W., 264. 

Mrs. H. G., 331, 352. 

Mrs. H. O., 359. 
Fithian, Rev. Philip V., 22, 51-53, 57,67, 68, 

70, 148, 282. 
Fea, Joseph, 293. 
Fee, John, 168, 169. 
Feltwell, A. L., 117. 
Fergus, John, 291. 

Margaret, 291. 
Ferguson family, 99. 

John C, 177. 

Thomas, 55, 259. 
Ferrer, Evanna, 208. 
Fetterhoof, William B., 138. 
Fitzsimmons, King, 246. 

Mary, 242. 

Patrick, 241, 246. 



Flasher, Rhoda, 315. 

Rosa E., 222. 
Fleck, George, 124. 

Thomas, 195, 314. 

Thomas M., 306. 
Fleming, James, 286. 

John, 69, 149, 154, 214, 285, 343. 

John M., 286. 

Joseph H., 286. 

J. R., 321. 

Orlando S., 233, 313. 

Robert, 242, 244. 

Robert T., 286. 
Fleming Post-Office, Pa., 323. 
Flickinger, Daniel E., 202. 

D. W., 236. 

R. E., 236. 
Floyd, Eliott, 244. 

Moses, 134, 18S, 284, 285. 
Fluke, C. R., 294. 
Fockler, Theodore T., 239. 
Foley, James, 70. 
Folsom, Rev., 231. 
Foote, Amos, 247. 

John, 247. 
Forbes, Cochrane, 222, 223, 22S, 249. 

William, 45. 
Foreign Missions, 32, 133, 135, 182, 184, 219, 

223, 238, 269, 302. 
Foreman House, 242. 
Foresman, E. P., 140, 157, 177, 178, 239, 

295, 298. 
Forgy, Bessie, 208. 

Charles G., 208. 

Henry W., 208. 

Rebecca, 208. 

Robert, 207, 208. 
Forman, Mrs. Henry, 338. 
Forshey, Helen, 324. 
Fort Duquesne, 287. 
Fort Shirley, 67, 70. 
Foster, Albert, 322. 

Emma, 322. 

Harriet, 112. 

James, 128. 

William K., 257, 264, 326. 
Foust, Kate, 315. 

R.J..3I5- 
Fowler, Frank G., 1 17. 



Frame, Nancy, 242. 

Polly, 242. 
Francis, J. J., 136, 137. 
Franciscus, F. G., 182. 
Frank, Stephen, 160. 
Franklin College, 276. 

County, 100, loi, 238, 244, 249. 
Franklinville Village, 62. 
Frankstown Church, 43, 63, 67, 70, 160, 290. 
Frankstown, Pa., 63, 159, 160. 
Fraser, John, 318. 
Fredonia, Pennsylvania, 118. 
Fredrigle, Rebecca, 295. 
Freed, Carrie B., 208. 

Freeman, D. K., 7, 13, 14, 103, 115, 119, 
174, 210, 302, 329, 353, 356, 364. 

Mrs. D. K., 339, 359. 
French War, 57, 147, 282. 
Fruit Hill Church, 156, 157, 232, 324, 327, 

328. 
Fry, Mrs. D. H., 304. 
Fuller, C. J., 228, 309. 

W. W., 315. 
Fullerton, J. Q. A., 146. 
Fulton, Cora, 319. 

family, 99. 

Moses, 144. 
Fuoss, William, 195. 
Furbay, Harvey Graeme, 7, 62, u6, 177, 276, 

279> 316, 362. 
Furst, A. O., 74, 75, 129, 130. 

Gahagan, John, 107. 
Galley, S. A., 311. 
Galbraith family, 99, loo. 

James, 100, 161, ill, 162, 290, 291. 

Robert, 161, 168. 

Sarah W., 100. 

W. A., 100. 
Galloway, Eleanor, 47. 

James, 47. 

John M., 142, 143, 146. 
Gamble, Robert L., 113, 226, 309. 

William R., 113. 
Ganoe, George, 166. 

George W., 233, 324. 

Gideon, 138. 
Gardner, Andrew, 45. 

Paul D., 164. 



EX. 393 

Gardner, Robert, 70, 149. 

William, 321. 
Garner, John, 242. 
Garver, Catherine, 288. 
Gates, Maggie, 304. 
Gayley, Samuel, 134. 
Gaysport, Pa., 159, 160. 
Gayton, Anna, 315. 

family, 212. 

John, 315. 
Gazzan Church, 157. 
Geary, John W., 79. 
Geesey, William, 195. 
Gemmill, Anna T., II2. 

family, 60. 

Grandmother, 342. 

John, 107, 278. 

J. M., 107, 108, 111-113. 

William, 131, 165, 166, 174, 219, 305, 
325> 352. 
General Assembly, 7, 32, 33, 35, 47, 56, 6t„ 
95, 96, loi, 142, 151, 161, 210, 241, 265, 
298, 299, 309, 310, 328, 331, 340, 341, 344- 
346. 
Gensimore, William C, 138, 
George, John, 169. 

S. C, 238. 
Georgetown, D. C, 193. 
Georgia, 98, 102. 
Gephart, J. W., 129. 
German Baptists, 117. 

Reformed, 169. 

settlers, 18, i6o, 251. 
Germantown, Pa., 116, 354. 
Germany, 100. 
Getts family, 212. 
Gettys, John, 283, 285, 313. 
Gettysburg, Pa., 102, 181. 
Gibb, William, 145, 175. 
Gibbony, Benjamin, 240. 

William M., 286. 
Gibson, John B., 100. 

Mary, 343. 

W. J., 102, III, 122, 147, 158, 162, 169, 
171, 178, 184, 185, 194, 235, 262, 263, 
291. 
Gibson Memorial Church, 147, 158. 
Gibson's History of Presbytery, 49, 57, 60, 
168, 185, 240, 343. 



394 



Giffen, J. E., 131, 210. 

Thomas M., 129. 
Gifford, Wm., 247. 
Gilfillan, Annie, 359. 
Gill, Angus M., 140, 319. 

Lowry, 319. 

Mary, 140. 

Samuel H., 319 

W. H., 114. 
Gillam, A. B., 213, 314. 
Gillespie, Rev., 335. 
Gilliford, George, 45. 
Gilliland, James, 220. 

James C, 259. 

John, 247. 

Joseph, 259. 

Joseph M., 259. 
Gillingham Church, 140. 
Gilson, Mary A., 47. 

S. S., 14. 

Thomas, 45, 47, 167, 201. 

William, 201. 

W. Boyd, 202. 
Gingerich, Sarah, 272. 
Giant, John A., 208, 209. 
Glasgow, Effie R., 208. 

Eliza, 46. 

Elmira, 208. 

family, 313. 

F. M., 196, 313. 

John, 208. 

John G., 158, 159. 

William B., 208. 
Glasgow University, 151. 
Glass, James, 69, 149. 

William H., 286. 
Glassford, Alexander, 45. 

George, 45. 
Glazier, Henry, 170. 
Glen Hope Church, 157, 159, 324, 328. 
Glen Richey, 308. 
Glenn, Hugh, 241, 246. 

James, 259. 

Robert, 235. 

Samuel, 259. 
Glenshaw, 121. 
Goheen family, 321. 

J. Calvin, 278. 

J. Milligan, 268, 280, 317, 321, 338. 



Goheen, Mrs. J. M., 338, 339. 

Robert, 259. 

William M., 259. 
Gomerville, John S., 317. 
Goodhart, George L., 259. 

William, 259, 264, 307. 
Goodwin, Mary, 46. 
Gooshorn, Leonard, 247. 
Gordon, Cyrus, 74, 144, 308. 

Isaac G., 79. 
Goshborn, Nicholas, 281. 
Gospel Hill, 108. 
Gourley, John, 120, 181, 363. 
Graffins, Martin, 158. 
Grafifius, Peter, 105. 
Graham, Francis, 57. 

George M., 48, 231, 236. 

G. M., 314. 

Isabella, 46. 

James, 56. 

James B., 144, 308. 

Jane W., 46. 

Judge, 76. 

Mrs., 339. 

Mrs. James, 309. 

Polly, 47. 

Samuel, 56. 

Samuel A., 202. 

William, 42, 45, 201. 

W. R., 182. 
Granville Township, 67. 
Graves, R. J., 297. 
Gray, David, 45. 

George, 107, 243, 249, 281 

Hugh, 47. 

James, 42, 45, 47. 

John, 42, 45. 

Joseph B., 309. 

Mary, 321. 

Matthews, 107. 

William A., 247. 
Graybill, John F., 290. 
Graysville, Pa., 321, 348. 
Grazier, J. H., 279. 
Great Aughwick, Pa., 70. 
Great Britain, 106. 
Great Cove, 50. 
Great Island, 53, 64. 
Green, G. Dorsey, 319. 



395 



Greenawalt, A. H., 230, 318. 

family, 99. 
Greenville, Tenn., 193. 
Greenwich First Church, 163. 
Gregg, Adam, 56. 

David M., 247. 

Township, 55. 
Gregg-Curtin family, 99, loi. 
Grier, A. R., 136, 138. 

Helen, 303. 

Isaac, 23, 64, loi, i6i, 183. 

J. C, 146, 161. 

L. G., 303, 134, 135, 136, 138, 273. 

Robert C, loi, 161. 
Griffith, John, 169. 

S. M., 118. 
Groninger, Henry M., 290. 
Gruver, Elias, 202. 

William, 202. 
Guilick, Frederick, 307, 308. 
Guilliford, W. R., 117. 
Guthrie, George, 169. 
Gwin, Alexander, 80. 

James L., 108. 

Hackendorn, David, 214. 
Hackett, G. Stuart, 115, 116, 312. 

Henry, 45. 
Haffley, Ella, 121. 

S. H., 121, 122. 
Hagerty, Isaac, 131. 

Joseph, 272, 277. 
Hahn, John H., 317, 166. 

Lizzie, 317. 
Haines, Abraham, 169. 

F. E. H., 347, 348, 354, 356-358. 

Kate, 121. 

Mrs., 337. 
Haingpo Presbytery, 219. 
Haldman, Samuel, 177. 
Hale, J. T., 74, 78. 
Haley, James, 175, 320. 

Mrs. James, 320. 
Half Moon Church, 42, 55, 61, 62, 68, 132, 

133, 137, 250, 254, 261. 
Half Moon Valley, 60. 
Hall, Baynard, 296. 

Benjamin, 70, 149. 

David, 112, 113. 



Hall, Eleanor, 322. 

John, 54, 114,177- 

Judge, 82. 

Louis W., 82. 

Richard, 242. 

W. M., 65, 70, 74, 81, 296. 
Halloway, A. H., 130. 
Hamer, Michael, 279. 

Hamill, Robert, 11, 12, loi, 119, 122, 124, 
140, 217, 235, 253, 256-260, 270, 271, 274, 
318. 
Hamilton, Catherine, loo. 

family, 99, 100. 

Gabriel T., 117. 

James, 1 68. 

James J., 146, 157, 194, 214, 230. 

John, 48, 259, 270, 271, 318, 325. 

Jonathan, 108, 1 10, III, 165, 272, 329. 

Joseph M., 286. 

J. C. M., 279. 

Robert R., 165. 

Thomas, 45. 
Hanlon, Dennis, 246. 
Hanna, Samuel, 307. 
Happer, A. D., 106, 132, 134, 135, 137, 273. 

Mrs. A. P., 357. 
Harbison, James, 301. 
Harding, William C, 239, 297. 
Hardy, James, 290. 
Harnish, Elizabeth, 360. 

Walter, 303. 
Harper, Hector, 242. 

John, 242. 

John M., 273, 278. 

J. H., 310. 

William, 69, 149. 
Harris, Elizabeth, 291. 

James, 128, 129, 271. 

Jean, 52. 

John, 45, 51. 

Mrs. John, 361. 
Harrisburg Synod, 128, 345, 347, 349-351. 
Harrisburg, Pa., 77, 82, 346, 347, 350, 357. 
Harrison, Annie, 121. 

Charles, I2i. 

President, 93. 
Harrisville, Ohio, 276. 
Harshbarger, Francis E., 219. 

Miss, 333, 334. 



Hartmann, J. H., 282. 

Hart's Log Church, 42, 61, 70, 99, 105-108, 
168, 290, 342. 

Token, 62. 

Valley, 60, 241. 
Hartswick, H. B., 308. 

J. G., 48, 144. 

Lizzie, 308. 
Hartzler, Mary, 208. 

William, 208. 
Harvey, Belle, 309. 
Haslett, Joseph, 70. 
Hassinger, Eliza, 208. 

Isabelle, 208. 

Leah, 208. 

Nora, 208. 

Peter, 206, 226. 

William, 208. 

Wilham E., 208. 
Hastings, D. H., 78. 

Eli, 234, 235. 
Hatfield, Benjamin, 108. 

Charles P., 107, 108, 303. 

John, 108. 

Mrs., 315. 

Samuel, 107, 213. 
Haughawant, L. L., 131, 231, 245, 281. 
Haupt, Herman, 174, 320. 

Mrs. Herman, 174. 
Hawes, Lowman P., 172. 
Hawke, Elizabeth J., 208. 
Hawn, Isaac, 236. 
Hays, Emma, 338, 364. 

family, 99. 

George P., 1 14. 

L. W., 289, 290. 

Rev., 336. 
Hazlett, John W., 286. 

Silas, 286. 

William, 216, 283, 285, 286. 
Hazzard's Register, 43. 
Head, Jesse, 169. 
Heaney, James, 258, 271. 
Hedding, Ephraim, 47. 

Hannah, 47. 

Noah, 46. 

Thomas M., 47. 
Heffly, David F., 158. 
Hegerty, Isaac, 210, 305. 



Hegerty, William, 130, 131. 
Heichold, J. L. R., 30S. 
Heims, Mrs., 320. 
Helman, W. W., 175. 
Hemstreet, Oliver, 233. 
Hench, A. L., 122. 
Henderson, A. Clay, 286. 

Andrew, l68. 

B. F., 120, 240. 

B. R., 211. 
Eliza, 342. 

John R., 155, 211, 282, 290. 

Julia, 120. 
Hennamon, J. M., 117, 120. 
Henry, H. H., 136-138, 303, 322. 

James K., 195. 

William, 150. 
Henson, P. S., 114. 
Hepburn, Samuel, 76. 
Hepler, David E., 258, 
Herron, Charles, 146. 
Herxtall, Mr., 317. 
Heslott, Joseph, 149. 
Hesser, Harry S., 279. 
Hew^itt, Benjamin L., 82. 

Daniel, 293. 

Homer H., 294. 
Hickok, John H., 182, 307 
Hicks, Clara K., 20 

J. G., 315. 
Hight, Charles, 45. 
Hileman, James, 228, 229. 

John M., 121, 122. 

Joseph, 160. 

Mrs. John M., 121. 
Hill, A. M., 308. 

Samuel, 132, 137, 151, 156, 186, 187, 
193, 194, 262, 265. 
Hills, Ashley M., 144. 

C. A., 267, 268. 
Hirst, Jacob, 311. 

J. G., no. 
Historical Sketches, 299. 
Hitchcock, R. S., 164. 
Hodgers, William H., 304. 
Hoge, John, 22, 42, 56, 70. 

Thomas, 150. 
Hogg, Robert, 42. 
Hoke, Elizabeth, 46. 



397 



Holland, loo. 
Holliday, Adam, 63. 

James, 159. 

John, 100. 

Samuel, 206. 
Holliday, Pa., 203. 

Hollidaysburg Church, 63, 159-161, 163, 193, 
220, 256, 278, 282, 291, 301, 304, 
35s. 

Seminary, loi, 164. 
Hollidaysburg, Pa., 41, 63, 67, 70, 102, 159, 
187, 189, 332, 334, 335, 339, 344, 348, 352, 
354, 358. 359- 
Holliday's Mill, 67. 

Hollifield, A. N., 172, 237, 335, 347-349- 
Hollingsworth, Jessie, 306. 
Holmes, James H., 271. 

W. M., 215. 
Holtzworth, Margaret, 323. 
Home Missions, 32, 182. 
Hooper, Clyde E., 302. 

W. A., 133, 137, 273. 
Hoopes, Ezra, 310. 
Hoover, George, 178. 

Jackson, 179, 327. 

Jacob, 192. 
Hope, Matthew B., 34, 343. 
Horning, Anna S., 208. 

James J., 290. 

Jane, 208. 

Maggie J., 208. 

Mary E., 208. 
Hosterman, Benjamin F., 208. 

Carrie E., 208. 

Julia, 208. 

Oliver H., 208. 
Hotchkin, G. B., 119. 
Hot Springs, N. C, 360. 
Houser, Samuel, 305. 
Houtz, D., 107. 
Houtzdale Church, 165, 325. 
Houtzdale, Pa., 165, 167. 
Howder, John, 301. 
Howell, John G., 296. 

Samuel N., 142, 146, 284. 
Hower, Samuel, 70, 149. 
Hoy, Adam, 74. 
Hubert, Michael, 169. 
Hublersburg Church, 167, 184, 220, 264, 328. 



Hudson, Atchison B., 247. 

George, 241, 247. 

George T., 247. 

Henry R., 249. 

John, 247. 

John P., 184. 

Joseph, 309. 

William A., 247. 
Hudson Grist Mill, 242. 
Hudson, Wis., 344. 
Huey, John, 286. 

William, 286, 321. 

William H., 192. 
Hughes, Cassandra, 46. 

Daniel L., 188, 189, 217, 232, 234, 248, 
263, 266, 267, 272, 284. 

Fanny, 46. 

Hugh E., 46. 

James, 46. 

James P., 14, 123. 

J. V. R., 141. 

Mary, 46. 

P. V. R., 123. 
Huguenots, 65, 70, 102. 
Huling, Eliza, 222. 
Humes, E. C, 102, 129. 

Hamilton, 129. 

John, 207. 

Myra, 339. 
Hummelstown, Pa., 153. 
Hunt Church, 301, 302. 
Hunt, Father, 361. 

George, 240. 

Thomas P., 291. 
Hunt, Pa., 302. 
Hunter, David G., 195, 272. 

Edward, 107. 

family, 313. 

James, 193, 195. 

John, 158. 

John A., 124. 

John M., 158. 

Nettie, 315. 

William A., 223, 248. 
Huntingdon Church, 20, 42, 6l, 70, 106, 168, 
170-174, 256, 342, 347, 349. 

Countess of, 21, 169. 

County, 70, 71, 74-76, loi, 102, 211, 
329- 



398 



Huntingdon, Pa., 21, 70, 72, 73, 139, 160, 
169-171, 173, 190, 212, 2i6, 255, 256, 273, 

334, 335> 337, 339, 340, 342, 347, 349-351, 
357-359- 

Huntingdon Presbytery, 7, 11, 12, 14, 35-38, 
40, 1,43,53,56-58,62-68,70-72,74- 
79, 86, 91-94, 96, 98, 99, loi, 103, III, 
115, 117-122, 125, 126, 128, 131, 133- 
137, 140-142, 145, 146, 150-152, 155- 
157, 159-163, 165, 168, 171-174, 177, 
179-191, 194, 195, 197-201, 203-206, 
210, 212, 215-219, 221-223, 225-227, 
229, 231, 232, 234, 236-238, 240-244, 
248, 250, 251, 255-258, 260-265, 268, 
271-275, 282-285, 287-289, 292, 294- 
299, 307, 313, 317, 325, 328-330, 332- 
334, 337-341, 343, 345, 347-349, 35'- 
356, 358, 362, 364. 
Hurrell, Christopher, 45. 

John, 45. 
Huston, Charles, 73, 78. 
family, 54. 
James, 59. 
Hutchinson, J. M., 175. . 
Robert, 177. 
S. H., 359. 
Hutchison, Ann, 112. 
James, m, 112. 
John, 34, 47, 53, 66, 67, 108, 161, 197, 

283, 288. 
Thomas, 307. 
Hylands, John, 45. 
Hyndman Church, 174, 328. 

Ickes, J. W., 118. 

Igou, Mrs., 313. 

Independents of Ireland, 243. 

Index of Illustrations, 7. 

India, 135, 154, 269, 278, 321, 330, 331, 333, 

335, 338, 339, 343- 
Indiana, 153. 
Indiana County, 161. 

Indians, 17, 18, 41, 51, 53, 55, 57, 68, 105, 
147, 154, 159, 164, 196, 200, 236, 254, 
282, 287, 343, 344, 348, 355, 357, 
361. 

Ingles, G. S., 239. 

Ingram, William, 192. 

Iowa, 1 89, 206. 



Ireland, 100, i86, 197, 204, 214, 243, 244, 

262, 287, 308. 
Ireland, John, 62. 
Irvin, Alice, 323. 

Crawford, 165. 

E. A., 146, 174, 323. 

James, 129, 144. 

James D., 113, 117, 118, 312. 

J. W., 178, 259. 

T. Van, 290. 

William, 201. 
Irvine, Anna, 335, 339, 344, 359. 

Charlotte, 339, 344, 352, 354, 358. 

James E., 1 18-120, 175, 184. 
Irving, Rev., 335. 
Irvona Church, 145, 157, 174, 175. 
Irvonia, 320. 
Irwin, Allison, 301. 

Anna, 301. 

A. R., 196. 

Charlotte, 301. 

Christopher, 45. 

family, 313. 

Hudson, 196. 

J.D.,312. 

L. W., 195. 

William, 301. 

William S., 47. 
Isaacs, Samuel, 306. 
Isenberg, B. F., 170. 
Isett, E. B., 318. 

Eleanor, 318. 

Samuel, 293. 

W. D., 199, 318. 

Jack's Narrows, 60. 
Jackson, Catherine, 291. 

family, 327. 

George F., 113, I18, 119. 

Hugh A., 248, 327. 

Robert, 138. 

Sheldon, 347-349. 
Jackson, Alaska, 360. 
Jacobs, George, 82. 

Hugh, 206. 

John, 201, 306. 
Jaggard, Clement, 1 13. 
James, Darwin R., 357. 
Jamieson, Edmund F., 198. 



399 



Jamieson, E. L., 323. 
Janesville, Pa., 305. 
Japan, 135, 331, 333, 335, 338, 339. 
Jardine, Andrew, 214, 230, 243. 
Jefferson College, see Washington and Jeffer- 
son. 
Jefferson County, 79. 
Jenkins, David, 226. 

D. B., 228. 
Mary A., 208. 

Jersey Shore, loi. 
John Elliot's Folly, 274. 
Johnson, Annie J., 208. 
Conrad, 247. 

E. R, 233. 
Hugh, 242. 
Ira C, 301. 

James, 22, 42, 48, 68, 70, 148, 150, 161, 
183, 185, 204, 282, 283. 

John, 22, 34, 42, 61, 70, 99, 106, 
133, 160, 161, 168, 171, 241, 249, 
261. 

Mrs. David, 315. 

Mrs. E. F., 339. 

M. Lucretia, 208. 

Orlie, 208. 

Richard M., 208. 

Robert M., 158, 177, 324. 

Sarah P., 275. 
Johnson City, Tenn., 131. 
Jolly, A. H., 61, 329. 

Mrs. A. H., 359. 

Mrs. M., 316. 

S. T., 99, 106. 
Jones, C. S. W., 316. 

Elizabeth, 316, 272. 

Emma, 316. 

John Penn, 301. 

Mrs. C. E., 120. 

Mrs. Samuel, 274. 

Samuel, 274. 
Jordan, Francis, 77. 

Hugh, 142, 144. 
Joseph, David, 201. 
Jubilee Hymn, 126. 

Juniata Church, no, 117, 120, 164, 175-177, 
313- 

County, 44, 66, 71, 76, 81, loi, 102, 287, 

329- 



Juniata River, 7, 43, 49, 51, 52, 58, 60, 63, 
65, 67, 68, 70, 98, 134, 160, 169, 204. 

Valley, 17, 19, 48, 50, 59, 100, 159, 240. 
Juniata, Pa., 176, 177. 
Junkin, Benjamin F., 76. 

D. X., 112, 126, 163. 

George, 102, 163. 

Kable, Anna M., 208. 
Kansas, 73, 190. 
Kauffman, Benjamin, 315. 

Benjamin F., 212. 

Daniel, 315. 

family, 212. 

Henry, 315. 

M. Josephine, 208. 

William, 315. 
Kay, Elizabeth, 295. 

John, 295, 296. 
Kearns, Henrj^, 323. 

J. Edmund, 146, 193, 231, 281. 

John C, 192. 

Joseph, 192. 

Willis F., 192. 
Keefer, John H., 117, 118, 312. 
Kegel, C. J., 276, 278, 316. 
Keister, Kate, 314. 
Keith, D. S., no, 311. 
Keller family, 99. 
Kelley, John, 242. 

Nathaniel, 241. 
Kelly, Ann B., 46. 

David, 69, 149. 

Elizabeth, 47. 

James, 46. 

John, 45, 201. 

John P., 202, 231. 

Joseph, 44, 46, 201. 

Joseph C, II, 13, 40, 114, 115, 152, 153, 
265, 269, 294. 

Maggie, 339. 

Margaret, 47. 

Mary J., 301. 

Moses, 46, 191, 300. 
Kelso, C. W., 82. 
Kemp, Philip, 259. 
Kendig family, 99. 
Kennedy, Gilbert, 242, 246. 

J., 51, 197, 287. 



400 



Kennedy, Samuel, 66, 68. 

William, 179, 283. 
Kennote, C. F., 196. 
Kenny, Matthew, 69, 149. 
Kephart,J. W.,321. 
Kepner, John, 231. 
Kepperly, Anna Belle, 120. 

J. B., 120. 

Mrs. H. S., 120. 
Ker, John, 169. 

Judge, 102. 

Rev., 340. 
Kerlin, Mrs., 316. 
Kerr, Bell, 306. 

David M., 208. 

James, 144. 

John, 45, 216. 

J. Horner, 258, 326. 

Robert, 249. 

William, 259. 
Kerrmoor Church, 157, 177, 178, 327. 
Kershaw, Charles, 170. 
Keystone Herald, 177. 
Kiefhaber, Elizabeth, 208. 

Ferdinand, 208. 
Kilbarchan, Scotland, 289. 
Kimberly, Mary M., 208. 
Kimmell, F. M., 74. 
Kincaid, Maxwell, 311. 
Kinch, C. E., 177. 

E. C.,313. 
Kiner, Emma, 208. 

John, 207. 

William, 208. 
Kinfell, Ada B., 208. 
King, Alexander, 74. 

Calvin C, 1 13. 

Christian, 295. 

family, 55. 

John, 63, 160. 

Jonas, 358. 

Lucretia, 301. 

Margaret, 295. 

William, 258. 
King Chiang Mai, 238. 
Kingsbury, John A., 311. 
Kinkead, Deborah, 291. 

James, 293. 

James M., 297. 



Kinkead, Maxwell, 113, 291, 293. 
Kirk, Anna E., 208. 
Kirkpatrick School, loi. 
Kishacoquillas, 67, 70. 

Valley, 68, 70, 282. 
Kitchell, C. S., 112. 
Kittatinny Mountains, 17. 

Point, 159. 
Kittatinny, Pa., 159. 
Kline, Daniel, 174, 175. 

David, 174. 

Elizabeth, 140. 

Enoch, 108. 

John, 140. 

Mrs. David, 174. 

William, 122, 124, 177. 
Klippert, Margaret M., 208. 
Knepp, Callie E., 208. 

Jacob, 208. 

Jane H., 208. 

John, 286. 
Knight, J. A., 340, 359. 
Knox, Alexander, 120, 165. 

James, 1 12. 

May, 120, 122. 

S. T., 120-122. 
Kochenderfer, D. D., 282. 
Kolaphur, 317. 
Koons, John, 201, 236. 
Kratzer, John, 195. 
Krebs, D. L., 74, 144. 
Krine, John, 46. 
Kuhn, Emily W., 357. 

Jacob, 45. 

Mrs. William C, 352. 

R. S., 248. 

William C, 140, 141, 178, 190, 231, 235, 
244, 248, 295. 
Kumler, J. P. E., 12, 13, 85. 
Kunkel family, 99. 
Kunns, Henry, 146. 
Kylar, Catherine, 140. 

Conrad W., 178. 

George J., 140. 
Kyle, Anna, 67, 322. 

Crawford, 152. 

John, 70, 149. 

Joseph, 151. 

Judge, 58. 



Kyle, Squire, 2(34. 

William M., 152. 
Kylertown Church, 178, 179, 190, 216, 

295- 
Kylertown, Pa., 178, 179, 327. 

Lack Township, 66. 

Ladies' Aid Societies, 118, 137, 145, 174- 

209, 228, 230, 233, 280, 294. 
Lafayette College, 134, 275, 276, 303. 
Laird, Ann S., 46. 

Calvin, 108. 

Hugh, 309. 

Jacob, 169. 

Jane, 46. 

John, 214, 215. 

Joseph H., 214. 

Mrs. S. C, 316. 

Osborne, 199. 

Samuel, 309. 

Stuart, 45. 

S. C, 316. 

William C, 215, 278, 290, 304. 

Wilson, 47, 202. 
Lamb, David, 1S3. 

William, 301. 
Lancaster, Ohio, 181. 
Lancaster, Pa., 139. 
Land office, 66. 

Landis, A. S., 12, 13, 48, 71, 165, 301, 
339- 

George A., 219, 338. 

J. H., 323. 

Mrs. A. S., 301, 339. 

Mrs. G. A., 338. 

Mrs. L. S., 359. 

William M., 208. 
Landrum, 57, 148. 
Langill, E. R., 145. 
Laos, 130, 238, 331, 335. 
La Porte, Adolphus M., 277, 279. 

Mrs. Adolphus M., 339, 359. 
Lashell, James M., 2S6. 
Lathem, A. L., 147. 
Laughlin, Bertha K., 208. 

David, 45. 

Mary, 46. 

Mary B., 408. 

Robert, 45. 



176, 



[7, 218, 239, 275, 297. 



274. 



i^Ji- 401 

Laughlin, Thomas, 214. 
Laughman, Annie M., 112. 

Daniel, iii, 112, 119, 311. 
Ira, 312, 
Ira J., 116. 
Mary A., 112. 
Laurie, William, 128, 129, 271. 
Laurimore family, 304. 

Hugh, 235. 
Law, Ann, 47. 
James, 45. 
Mary Ann, 46. 
Sarah, 47. 
William, 45. 
Lawrence, Samuel, 
Lawshe, John, 229. 
Lawson, Orr, 194, 263, 

W. C, 347. 
Lay judges, 77. 
Leach, Mr., 114. 
Leattor, William J., 208. 
Lees, Julia, 306. 
J- W., 177. 
Leesburg, Va., 160. 
Leeter, Mr., 67. 

Leffard, Adam, 207-209, 272-274, 277. 
Anna M., 208. 
Emily, 208. 
John F., 208. 
Joseph T., 208. 
Laura, 322. 
Mary, 208, 272. 
Sally E., 208. 
Legislature, 80, 81, 82. 
Lemont Church, 253. 
Leonard, James M., 178. 
Mr., 167, 178. 
Patrick, 169. 
Levingston, Catherine, 295. • 

Lewey, Emil, 175, 177, 198, 231. 
Lewis and Clark, 66. 
Lewis, Joshua, 169. 

Samuel T., 210, 230. 
Lewisburg, Pa., 180, 347. 
Lewistown Church, 81, 102, 150, 179-182, 
205, 225, 283, 306, 334, 349, 354, 357, 
. 363- 

Church token, 62. 
Classical School, 188, 



402 



Lewistown Narrows, 60, 204. 
Lewistown, Pa., 58, 59, 70, 204, 249, 275, 
306, 332, 334. 335> 337, 34°, 348, 35o, 
358. 
Lichtenthaler, G. H., 324. 
Lick Run Church, 125, 126, 154, 183, 184, 

220, 263, 301. 
Liddell, Robert, 158. 
Liggett, Jane, 46. 
Light, John, 169. 
Lightner, Mr., 130. 
Likely, William, 241. 
Linden Hall, 55. 
Lindsey, Alice, 313. 

Hugh, 302. 
Linn family, 99, loi. 

James, 64, 66, 102, 125-127, 129, 142, 
161, 178, 183, 194, 216, 220, 234, 273, 
292, 343- 

John, 67, 142, 161. 

John B., 53, 65, 142, 161. 

J. H., 129. 

Samuel, 74, 78, 129. 

William, 51, 53, 68, 142, 161. 
Litterkenny Presbytery, 262. 
Little Aughwick Church, 240, 241, 244-246. 
Little Cove, 50. 
Little Valley Church, 151, 154, 185-193, 284, 

285, 300. 
Little Valley, Pa., 185, 188, 189. 
Livingston family, 54. 

George, 259. 

W. S., 107, 119, 303. 
Lloyd, Jane E., 112. 

John, 120. 

William M., in-113, 311- 
Lock Haven, Pa., 53. 
Lock's Mills, Pa., 218. 
Logan's Valley Church, 127, 137, 193, 194- 

196,264, 273,278,313, 356. 
Logan's Valley, Pa., 193, 194, 313. 
Log Cabin Church, 43, 55. 
Log College, 41. 
Lomison, W. T., 317. 
Long, C. P., 264. 

Elizabeth, 295. 

George, 295, 296. 

Henry, 192, 300. 

Mary, 192. 



Long, Mrs. Henry, 192. 

M., 56. 

W. J., 230. 
Longenecker, J. H., 74. 
Los Angeles, Calif., 115, 359. 
Loss, Isaac, 129. 
Lossie, Robert, 174. 
Lost Creek Church, 49, 66, 196-198, 288, 289, 

323, 360, 361. 
Lost Creek Valley, 287. 
Louden, James, 215. 

William, 176. 
Louder, J. A., 264. 
Loudon, Lottie, 323. 
Lourimore, Hugh, 122. 
Louthere, James, 281. 
Lower, Daniel, 293, 300. 

Samuel B., 207. 

Zacheus, 138. 
Lower Spruce Creek Church, 199, 200, 263, 

264,318. 
Lower Tuscarora Church, 42-45, 49, 67, 153, 

200-203, 214, 215, 236, 310, 328. 
Lower Tuscarora Temperance Society, 44. 
Lower Wayne, 60. 
Lowrie, John G., 129. 

J. Robert, 303. 

J. R., 133, 136, 138. 

Mrs., 303. 

Sarah, 303. 

S. R., 137, 335- 

S. T.,99, loi, 106. 

Walter, 133, 138. 

W. L., 277. 
Ludwig, Mrs., 323. 
Lumber City, 327. 
Lutherans, 121, 139, 155, 157, 169, 173, 212, 

219, 230, 234, 300, 304, 307, 316. 
Lutz, Letitia, 209. 
Lydick, Ada, 328. 

W. F., 145. 
Lyons, Ada, 305. 

family, 60, 99, loi, 321. 

Rebecca, 318. 
Lytle, Griffith, 259. 

W. A., 196. 
Lytte, John, 165. 



INDEX. 



403 



McAlevy, George M., 170. 

William, 69, 170. 
McAlevy's Fort, 248. 
McAllister, H. N., 78, 102, 129. 

J. Hutchinson, 290. 

Robert, 45. 

Sarah, 198, 360. 

Steven Lloyd, 199. 

William H., 198. 

William T., 140. 
McAllisterville Church, 197, 200. 
McAllisterville, Pa., 196, 198, 323. 
McAteer, H. J., 108. 
McBeth, W. C, 146. 
McBruley, Daniel, 239. 
McCahan, John, 45. 
McCahan's Mill, 160. 
McCalla, W. L., 239. 
McCalmont, John, 301. 
McCamant, Graham, 193. 

Samuel, 316. 

Samuel S., 199, 272, 273, 276-279. 

Thomas, 82. 
McCamant's Forge, 196. 
McCarthy, A. M., 315. 

A. Rebecca, 208. 

C. R., 170, 249. 

Elizabeth, 208. 

Henry, 169. 

John R., 285. 

Mrs. V. B., 315. 

V.B.,3I5- 

Winchester, 226. 

W. B., 170, 302. 
McCartney, John, 108, 165. 

Robert, 62, 264. 
McCauley, Albert E., 116, 312. 

H. K., 113, 115, 311. 

Thomas, ill, 112, 195, 351. 
McCay, James, 69, 149. 

William, 179. 
McClain, Anna Catherine, 291. 

Lazarus, 291. 
McClanahan, Elizabeth, 295. 
McClatchy, Thomas, 178. 
McClay, Samuel, 180. 
McCleahan, W. C, 220. 

McClean, O. O., 102, 113, 133, 172, 173, 181, 
218, 272, 289, 358. 



McClean, William, 242. 
McClellan, Martha, loo. 

Robert, 70, 149, 307, 319. 
McClintock, Hugh, 219. 
McCloskey, William, 259. 
McClure, A. K., 82. 

family, 146. 

H. M., 76. 

James, 183. 

James G., 281. 

James S., 69, I49. 
McClure's Country, 147. 
McConaughy, Mr., 80. 
McConnell, Alexander, 168. 

John, 281. 

Martha, 342. 
McCord, James N., 158. 
McCormick Seminary, 175. 
McCormick, Elizabeth J., 31 1. 

family, 54, 99. 

George, 53, 54, 259. 

John, 112, 115. 

Mary, 1 12. 

Rosa C, 208. 

William, 301. 

William A., 294, 301. 

William C, 165, 311. 
McCoy, Emma W., 357. 

James G. 208. 

Jonathan, 201. 

John, 45-47- 

John S., 208. 

Joseph, 45. 

Lizzie, 303. 

Robert A., 276, 277, 279. 

T. F., 81, 182. 

William, 107. 
McCracken, John, 45. 
McCreary, J. S., 327. 
McCrum, John, 290. 

Joseph, 290. 
McCrury, J. S., 177, 178. 
McCullochs, Elder, 305. 
McCuUoch's Mills, 214, 215, 236, 323. 
McCullough, Joseph, 131. 

William, 131. 
McCully, George W., 130, 131, 165, 174, 229, 
305- 

Mrs. George W., 130. 



404 



McCully, "William, 130. 
McCune, John H., 312. 

J.A., 117, 118. 

R. Lewis, 231, 244, 281. 

Samuel, 242. 

S. C, 206, 226, 227. 

Thomas, 107, 160, 164. 
McCurdy, Thomas, 290. 

T. A., 114. 
McDonald, Andrew, 46. 

Ann C, 47. 

Charles, 46. 

David L., 281. 

Eleanor, 46. 

James, 47. 

John, 46. 

J. A., 166, 167. 

Katherine, 46. 

Lydia, 47. 

Mary, 47. 

N. A., 237, 238, 247, 320. 

Samuel R., 244, 248, 285. 
McDougall, Rev., i6o. 
McDowell, Carson, 226. 

Edward D., 312. 

Edward W., 116. 

family, 54. 

John, 57, 68, 70, 149, 282. 

Mr., 100. 
McElheny, John, 155. 
McEIroy, Alexander, 242. 

James, 107. 
McEnally, J. B., 74. 
McEwen, E., 175. 
McFadden, Hugh, 180. 

Samuel, 45. 

William W., 232. 
McFarland, Albert, 196. 
McFarlane, Albert, 313. 

family, 313. 

Margaret, 318. 
McFarlin, Harry S., 1 17. 
McGaughey, J. C, 175, 320. 
McGee, George, 241. 

W. A,, 312. 
McGeehon, William A., 326. 
McGehon, T., 249. 
McGinnes, W. Y., 309. 
McGinness, Miss, 338. 



McGinnis, George, 244. 

James Y., 34, loi, 238, 243, 245, 247, 
248, 281, 

John, 45. 

Wilson, 248. 
McGIanchlin, Archie, 247. 
McGonnigle family, 304. 

Hugh, 304. 

H. A., 235. 
McGrew family, 54. 

Joseph, S3. 
Mcllhenny, George, 45. 

John, 261, 262, 265. 
McIIvain, William, 169. 
Mcllvaine, Alexander, 240, 241, 243, 246, 

280. 
McKean, Charles B., 145, 174, 175, 320. 

Ella, 174. 

John, 157, 190, 231, 237. 

Miss, 354. 

Mrs. Charles B., 174. 

Robert, 339. 

Samuel, 122, 124. 

Thomas, 73. 
McKee, Anna, 208. 

Anna M., 208. 

George, 207, 208. 

James, 241, 246, 247. 

James Y., 259, 270, 271. 

Jennie, 208. 

John G., 165. 

M. Alice, 208. 

Thomas, 129. 

William B., 123, 309. 
McKenman, John, 304. 
McKennaw, M. J., 249. 
McKenney, Samuel, 169. 
McKennon, Patrick, 45. 
McKibbens, Joseph, 69. 
McKillips, Hugh, 291. 

Jane, 291. 

Jessie Y., 208. 

Susan, 208. 

T. Emory, 208. 
McKim, David, 56, 258. 

Robert, 54. 
McKinley, R. A., 140, 142, 143-145, 177, 
295- 

Mrs. R. A., 339. 



405 



McKinney, David, 34, iii, 156, 162, 194, 
234, 256, 259, 296. 

D., 248. 

Edmund, 143. 

I. M., 162, 164. 

John, 98, 99, 102, 106, 194, 234, 262, 
296. 

William W., 162-164. 
McKinstry, Catherine, 222. 
McKnight, Williamson, 47. 
McLanathan, Robert G., 276, 277, 279. 
McLaughlin, James, 201, 236. 

John, 47, 202, 236. 

Lillie M., 208. 

Samuel, 202. 
McManamy, Florence, 193. 
McManigle, John, 70, 149. 

Neal, 70, 149. 
McManus, James, 78. 
McMillan, William, 240. 
McMinch, Thomas, 239. 
McMullin family, 54. 

John, 53. 
McMurtrie, David, 169, 173. 

Mrs. William, 343. 

R. A., 82. 
McNaer, John, 225. 
McNair family, 99. 
McNamara, Maggie, 120. 

Thomas C, 120. 
McNeal, John, 324. 

Taylor, 324. 

W. B., 313. 
McNear, John, 308. 

William, 309. 
McNeel, Isaac, 177. 

James, 156, 158, 242. 

Robert, 242. 

W. B., 175-177. 
McNight, W. P., 306. 
McNinch, Rev., 184, 282. 
McNite, D. S., 310. 

J. C, 310. 
McNitt, Alexander, 69, 149. 

John, 69, 149. 

J. C, 220. 

Robert, 69, 149. 

William, 69, 149. 
McPherron, John, 134, 138. 



McRae, Thaddeus, 206, 227. 

McVeytown Church, 192, 203-206, 225-227, 

274. 300, 309. 
McVeytown, Pa., 60, 203, 204, 362, 363. 
McVicar family, 54. 

James, 240. 
McWilliams, Elizabeth, 208. 

family, 32 1. 

Judge, 102. 

Samuel, 47, 208. 

William, 234, 235. 
Mackay, J. W., 315. 
Mackey, James, 222. 
Macklin, Anna L., 208. 

Effie, 208. 

E. Jennie, 208. 

George H., 207-209. 

James, 207-209, 322, 362, 363. 

Jessamine, 208. 

Laura, 322. 

Laura J., 208. 

Mrs. George H., 209. 

William, 206-208. 
Maclay, Brown, 220. 

family, 99, loi. 

Mrs. Dr., 354. 

Mrs. William, 339. 

Robert T., 286. 

Samuel, 102, 218, 220, 310. 

William P., 285. 
Madera Church, 131, 157, 210, 305. 
Madison Avenue Church, 181. 
Madough, John, 45. 
Magee, James, 241. 

W. A., 113. 
Magill, Effie E., 208. 

Hugh, 22, 42-44, 52, 66, 70, 197, 200, 
287, 288. 
Mahon, James C, 222. 
Mahoning Church, 161. 
Mairs, Elizabeth, 46. 

Thomas, 46. 
Malin, Rev., 230. 
Mann, Ann, 112. 

Charles J., 111-H3, 312. 

Job, 78. 
Mann's Choice Church, 210, 2ii, 240, 326. 
Manor Hill, 248. 
Mansfield, Ohio, 112, 113. 



4o6 



Mapleton Church, 211-213, 224, 228, 314, 

315- 
Mapleton, Pa., 211-214. 
Marklesburg, Pa., 355. 
Marshall, David, 242. 

G. W., 319. 

James, 220, 246. 

Joseph W., 141. 

Robert, 242, 246. 

William, 246. 
Martha Furnace, 1 22. 
Martin, Elizabeth, 46. 

George, 45, 169, 199. 

George H., 290. 

Hugh, 69, 149. 

Isabella Y., 46. 

James, 22, 42, 55, 56, 60, 68, 70, 132, 
I33» 254, 255, 261, 265. 

Jane, 242. 

Jeanette, 120. 

John, 120, 291. 

J. W., 121. 

Margaret, 46. 

Marion, 46. 

Martha, 46. 

Matthew, 242. 

Mr., 7. 

Nancy, 291. 

Nathaniel, 46. 

Samuel, 312. 

Thomas, 59, 214. 

William, 45. 
Martinsburg, W. Va., 163. 
Martin's Ferry, O., 121. 
Martinville Church, 147, 158. 
Martyn, Henry, 355. 
Maryland, 102. 
Mateer, Agnes, 208. 

Eugene H., 152, 206, 207, 209. 

Jessie E., 208. 

Mary E., 208, 209, 322. 
Mathers, James, 82. 

John H., 82. 

Joseph H., 11-13, 16, 48, 52, 113, 114, 
117-119, 145, 152, 174, 177, 194, 196, 
211, 231, 298, 304, 313, 356, 361. 

Mrs. E. C, 313. 

Thomas, 131. 
Maxweii, Rev., 360. 



Mayberry, John, 56. 
Mayer, Charles A., 74. 
Mayo, Millie, 311. 
Mays, D. V., 166. 
Means, Francis A., 152. 
H. F., 233, 329, 364. 
James, 69. 
John, 69. 
Mehaffy, G. W., 115. 
Melloy, J. L., 297. 
Mentzer, J. F., 306. 
Mercersburg, Pa., 63. 
Merrill, William, 144. 
Merriman, Edith, 322. 
Merron, Mrs., 327. 
Mervin, Miles T., 139,^142, 146. 
Methodists, 165, 169, 192, 221, 232,238, 278, 

292, 294, 300, 301, 304, 307, 313, 317, 318. 
Metz, J. Grove, 292. 
Mevey, John, 205, 206. 
Mexico, 298, 331. 
Mexico, Pa., 49, 196. 
Miami Presbytery, 273. 
Middagh, John, 45. 
Middle Tuscarora Church, 201, 202,214, 215, 

230, 231, 323. 
Mienhart family, 60. 

Mifflin County, 57, 65, 67, 71, 75, 76, 82, loi, 
102, 203, 209, 329. 
County Court, 206. 
Mifflin, Governor, 72, 81. 
Mifflinburg Church, 257. 
Mifflintown Church, 34, 49, 52, 66, 198, 287- 

290, 304, 305, 323, 353, 361, 362, 364. 
Mifflintown, Pa., 53, 76, 215, 287, 329, 335, 

339- 
Miles, John G., 80, 302. 

Mrs. John G., 173. 
Milesburg Church, 129, 215, 216, 220. 
Milesburg, Pa., 68, 139, 184, 317. 
Milford Township, 200. 
Miller, Benjamin, 342. 

Charles H., 170. 

Clara, 1 12. 

Cooper, 304. 

D. H., 304. . 

D. W., 235. 

Ellen, 112. 

G. A.,3IS. 



407 



Miller, Isaac, 211. 

Jacob, 102, 168, 169, 302. 

John, H2, 304. 

John D., 309. 

Martha, 1 1 2. 

Mary, 112. 

Mary E., 208. 

Mrs. W. B., 339, 359. 

N. A., 165, 

N. H., 118, 130, 233. 

William, 69, 149. 

William C, 174. 

W. Scott, 306. 
Millerstown, Pa., 242, 250. 
Millhall, Pa., 223. 
Milligan, Edward, 45. 

James, 45. 

William, 259. 
Milliken, F. J., 310. 

James, 46, 215. 

Margaret, 46. 

Martha, 46. 

Mary, 46. 

Milly, 46. 

Mrs., 323. 

Robert, 151. 

Samuel, 46, 70, 149. 

S. J., 202, 231. 
Million Dollar Fund, 167. 
Mills, Charles R., 134. 

Michael, 242. 
Milnwood Academy, 238, 244, 247, 248. 
Milroy Church, 190, 191, 215, 216, 218, 219, 
310, 352, 354. 

School, loi. 
Milroy, Pa,, 217, 218, 231, 333-335. 
Milton, loi. 
Milton, Pa., 279, 347. 
Miner, Mrs. Henry, 347. 
Minnesota, 297. 
Mission Bands, 118, 154, 174, 224, 280, 331, 

349> 350, 353. 356-359, 364- 
Mission Boards, 301, 302, 304, 307, 30S, 310, 
314, 318, 322-327, 330, 331, 341, 344- 
355- 
Mitchell, Charles, 192. 

David, 235, 304. 

family, 304, 327. 

James, 264. 



Mitchell, John, 183. 

John B., 235, 304. 

Martha, 193, 300. 

Mrs. A. P., 304. 

Mrs. David H., 304. 

Rebecca J., 208. 

Samuel, 149. 

Stuart, 113, 335. 

William, 69, 149. 
Monongahela Presbytery, 186. 
Monroe, President, 73. 
Mons, Jonas, 178. 

Peter, Sr., 179. 
Montague, Jonathan, 249. 

Thomas, 247. 
Montgomery, E., 281. 

John, 281. 

Robert, 47. 

Samuel, 355. 

William, 335. 
Moody, Mr., 115. 
Moor, George, 242. 
Moore, Archibald, 60, 205. 

Charles W., 114. 

Colonel, 264. 

David W., 206. 

Dena, 323. 

family, 54. 

George, 45. 

John, 259, 292, 318. 

Johnson, 294. 

Joshua, 151, 275, 284, 292. 

J. Walter, 277-279. 

Perry, 264. 

Robert D.,285. 

Samuel, 165. 

S. M., 99, 106, III, 113,123,151,235, 
237, 275, 276, 278, 280, 362. 

Thomas B., 165. 

William, 169, 206. 

William A., 60, 208. 

W. H., 199. 
Moorehead, W. W., 211. 
Moreland, Thomas, 242. 
Morgan, Benjamin, 342. 

J. H., 305. 

Mr., 139. 
Mormons, 344, 357. 
Morris, Alexander G., 276, 277, 279. 



408 



Morris, Charles A., 279, 280. 

Julia A. J., 317. 
Morrisdale Church, 216, 220, 298. 

Mines, 324. 
Morrisdale, Pa., 178. 
Morrison, Hugh, 23, 161. 

James B., 208. 

John Moody, 281. 

Nora M., 208. 

William S., 244, 281. 
Morrow, Alice, 306. 

Andrew, 45. 

A. D., 335, 339. 

D. A., 308. 

Eleanor, 46. 

Ella, 306. 

John Blair, 281. 

Joseph H., 264, 306. 

J. B., 326. 

Mrs. M. J., 326. 

Richard, 281. 

Richard H., 206. 

Robert, Jr., 306. 

Thomas, 281. 

William, 241, 242, 246. 

W. H., 195. 

W. M.,306. 
Morton, James, 241, 246. 
Moshannon Church, 220, 221, 277, 317, 328. 
Moss, J. H., 175. 
Mountain Female Seminary, 134, 135, 137, 

303- 
Mountain Foot Church, 244. 
Mount Holyoke College, 134. 
Mount Joy Church, 189. 
Mount Olive Church, 298. 
Mount Pleasant Church, 130, 156, 163, 232, 

298. 
Mount Union Church, 221-224, 227, 228, 250, 

315, 358. 
Mount Union, Pa., 223, 225, 249, 314, 339. 
Mowery, Hannah, 208. 

Irvin M., 208. 
Moyer, Clara R., 120. 

Nathaniel, 202. 

Silas, 312. 

Silas C, 290. 

S. M., n8, 119. 
Mullen, G. Shannon, 2ii. 



Mullen, J. C, 131. 

William, 305. 
Muller family, 99. 
Mullin, James, 240. 
Murphy, Thomas, 231, 241. 

William J., 157, 232. 
Murray, Charles E., 233, 324. 

family, loi, 304. 

William, 108, no, 235 
Muskelly, Robert, 45. 
Musser farm, 55, 56. , 

George, 319. 
Mutchmore, S. A., 12, 14, loi. 
Myers, Ella M., 208. 

G. L., 117, 119. 

Herndon M., 279. 

William O., 279. 

Naginey, Charles, 152. 

Robert A., 152. 
Neal, William, 252. 
Neeley, David T., 215. 

James, 281. 

J. H., 82. 
Neff, John, 305. 

John K., 294. 
Neil, James L., 301. 
Nelson, John, 249. 

Margaret I., 47. 

Sarah, 47. 
Nesbit, Alexander, 291. 
Neshaminy, 41. 
Neville-Craig family, 99. 
Nevling, H. H., 316. 

Mr., 274. 
New Bloomfield Church, 259. 
New Bloomfield, Pa., 76. 
New Brunswick Presbytery, 131, 180, 205. 
New Castle Presbytery, 150, 214, 255, 269. 

Second Church, 128. 
New Castle, Pa., 163. 
Newell, N. G., 157. 
New England, 102. 
New Jersey, 102. 

College, 34, 51, 154, 269. 
New Lisbon Presbytery, 189, 292. 
New Mexico, 135. 
New Milport Church, 157. 
New Side Synod, 17. 



409 



Newton Hamilton Church, 205, 206, 223- 

229, 249, 308, 309, 322, 328, 348. 
Newton Hamilton, Pa., 115, 204, 205. 
Newton Presbytery, 181, 190. 
New York, 229, 238. 
New York and Philadelphia Synod, 19, 36, 

42, 65, 68, 71, 85, 235. 
New York Presbytery, 256. 
Nill, James, 74. 
Nipple, Mrs. D. C, 228. 
Nittany Church, 223. 

Mountains, 55. 

Valley, 183. 
Nivling, John A., 277. 

William H. H., 278. 
Nixon, James, 192. 

Samuel, 191. 
Noble, Calvin, 28. 

John E., 282. 

Joseph B., 297. 

Joseph E., 297. 

William B., 297. 
Noll, H. P., 180. 
Norcross, Mrs. George, 346-348. 
Norris, J. A., 295. 
North Carolina, 102. 
North, H. H., 82. 
North Mountains, 17. 
Northumberland County, 355. 

Presbytery, 26, 42, 99, loi, 184, 223, 
243, 257, 258, 345, 347- 
Northumberland, Pa., 68, 73. 
Norton, Benjamin, 226, 309. 

Felix, 227. 

Jacob, 309. 

Mrs. Jacob, 309. 
Noss, Abram, 215. 
Nourse, James, 151, 216, 217, 219. 
Nurrs, Rev., 243. 

Ohio, 189, 190, 197, 287. 
Okeson, Nicholas, 46. 

Samuel, 310. 
Old Side Synod, 17, 341. 
Old Town, Pa., 142. 
Olean Church, 121. 
Oliver, Andrew, 321. 

family, 321. 

George, 207. 



Oliver, John, 207. 

J. C, 202, 227, 269, 321. 

Maggie C, 208. 
Oliver Township, 60. 
Olmstead, James M., 214. 
Orange, N. J., Church, 127. 
Orbison, Eleanor, 342. 

J. H., 338. 

Mrs. N. D., 333, 335, 339. 

Mrs. William P., 342. 

Pendleton, 338. 

R. A., 170. 

William P., 80, 170, 171, 237, 302. 
Orbisonia Church and town, 120, 213, 227- 

229, 249, 250, 319. 
Orndorf, William, 301. 
Orr family, 54. 

William, 301. 
Orris, S. S., 48, 268, 269, 274. 
Orth family, 99. 
Orvis, J. H., 74. 
Osceola Church, 229, 230, 233, 317, 318. 

Mills, 118. 
Osterloh, Anna M., 112. 
Othwaite family, 212. 
Otto, Noah, 309. 
Over Sea and Land, 332. 
Owens, John, 102, 132, 138, 156, 273, 264, 

303- 
John D., 228, 244. 
Oxford Church, 276. 
Oxford, Pa., 363. 

Park, Henry W., 144. 

Peter, 317. 
Parker, Andrew, 82. 

Andrew H., 13, 39, 58, 152, 154, 304. 

Ezra D., 82. 

E. Southard, 290. 

James, 180. 

Joseph W., 81. 

Olie E., 208. 
Parker-Denny family, 99. 
Parsonages, 131, 136, 147, 156, 164, 173, 175, 
181, 195, 201, 206, 216, 218, 223, 224, 233, 
263, 266, 268, 277, 281, 286, 292, 293, 316. 
Parsons, Samuel, 242. 
Pastorius, William, 56. 
Path Valley, 7, 50, 65, 160. 



4IO 



Patterson, Agnes, 46. 
Alexander, 46, 308. 
Alfred J., 304, 82, 236, 
Andrew, 45, 46. 
Anna C, 348. 
Archie, 247. 
A. Granville, 350. 
Beckie, 322. 
George M., 294. 
Hezekiah, 158, 324. 
Isabella Ann, 47. 
James, 46, 47, 49, 50, 65, 196, 201, 202, 

287, 294. 
James K., 174. 
Jane, 46, 47. 
John, 45, 46, 175, 201. 
John B., 283. 

John H., 272, 273, 277, 27S. 
Joseph, 158, 175, 203, 324, 316. 
J. A., 184. 
Mary, 46. 
Mrs. James K., 174. 

Mrs. R. H., 326. 

Phoebe, 47. 

Rebecca, 46. 

Rebecca W., 208, 209. 

Robert, 47, 158, 310. 

R. H., 326, 231. 

Samuel, 107, no. 

Thomas, 147. 

William, 47. 

Zacheus, 45. 
Patterson Church, 289. 
Pattison, Robert E., 76. 
Patton, Charles A., 138. 

family, 304. 

Isabella, 46. 

James, 202. 

James S., 46. 

John, 168, 235, 259. 

John T., 138. 

Joseph, 165. 

Margaret, 304. 

Mary, 304. 

Robert, 169. 

R. W., 182. 

Thomas, 304. 

Thomas F., 235, 304. 

William, 45. 



Patton, W. A., 203. 
Pauling, Charles, 307. 
Payne, J. B., 143. 
Peale, Pa., 179. 
Pearce, Francis, 140. 

Josephine, 325. 
Pedau, John, 56. 

Peebles, John, 99, 102, 106, 171, 172, 216, 
217, 225, 243, 249,248, 291, 342, 343, 
302. 
Mrs., 342. 
Peightell, Margaret, 272. 
Pennfield Church, 298. 
Penn Hall, 55. 
Penn's Creek, 250-252. 
Penn's Valley, 7, 53, 54, 56, 57, 60, 67, 68, 

146, 250, 251, 254. 
Penn's "Valley Church, 68, 70, 252, 261. 
Pennsylvania, 71-73, 77-79, IOO-I02, 129, 
148, 160, 203, 247, 260, 272, 287, 307, 
330. 
Canal, 52, 160, 300. 
College, 169, 181. 
Railroad, 80,81, I12, 175, 177, 195,212, 

320. 
Synod, 116, 280, 298, 346, 350, 351. 
Penn Yan Church, 128. 
Pennypacker, Delilah, 208. 
Perry County, 76. 

Perryville Church, 202, 217, 218, 236. 
Perry ville, Pa., 202. 
Pershing, C. L., 82. 
Persia, 331, 333, 335, 338, 339. 
Peru Mills Church, 214, 230, 231, 281, 326. 
Peru Mills, Pa., 230, 231. 
Petersburg Church, 130, 189, 227, 232, 248, 

319. 328, 342. 
Petersburg, Pa., 329. 
Peterson, Jesse, 249. 

T. C, 136, 138, 303. 
Philadelphia, 114, 159, 162, 170, 196, 197, 
223, 229, 243, 278, 279, 287, 305, 318, 

331-334, 337, 355- 
Presbytery, 128, 146, 151, 187, 188, 205, 

217, 258, 262, 284. 
Synod, 345. 
Phillips, Hardman, 232. 

John, 108, 303. 
Phillipsburg Church, 232, 324, 335, 339, 363. 



Phillipsburg, Pa., 232, 364. 
Pierce, H. D., 320. 

H. G., 175. 

John L., 319. 

Lizzie, 319. 
Pike Congregation, 142. 
Pincin, Lyman, 208, 209. 

Maggie, 208. 
Pine Creek Church, 254. 
Pine Grove Church, 188, 189, 234, 244, 251 
308, 310, 337, 344. 
Mills, 234, 304, 352, 360. 
Piper, David, 295. 

Elizabeth, 311. 

James, 242, 297, 298. 

John, 295, 296. 

Lucinda, 295. 

Margaret, 295. 

Thomas C, 295. 
Pittsburgh Synod, 345, 346, 350. 
Pittsburgh, Pa., 82, 161, 188, 346, 351. 
Plack, George, 116. 
Pleasant Hill Church, 140, 325. 
Plowman, Lavinia, 1 12. 
Plummer, Janet, 209. 
Plymouth Rock, 102. 
Polk, President, 75. 
Pollock, A., 175. 

James, 38. 

John, 222. 

John T., 208. 

Mary, 208. 

Mrs. John, 208. 

William, 166. 

W. J., 311. 
Pomeroy, James, 202. 

J. Nevins, 310. 

S. W., 223, 227, 237, 249. 

W. C, 236, 314. 
Porter, Alexander, 205. 

Alfred, 107, io8. 

Calvin, 108. 

D. R., 38, 75, 79. 

family, 321. 

George B., 107. 

John, 102, 107, 302, 320. 

J- L-, 277, 316. 

Mila, 348. 

Miss, 338. 



EX. 411 

Porter, T. C, 108, 302. 

William A., 79. 
Porter Church, 308. 

Memorial Band, 302. 
Port Matilda Church, 123. 
Port Matilda, Pa., 122, 323. 
Port Royal Church, 50, 198, 202, 235-237, 

278, 314. 
Port Royal, Pa., 334, 335, 352, 354, 357. 
Postelthwait, Ann, 309. 

Clara, 309. 

D. A., 226, 309. 

Harris, 228. 

James D., 227. 

J- A. J., 315- 

J. C, 314. 

J. M., 309. 

L. v., 228, 309. 

North A., 227. 

Sheriff, 309. 

S. T., 309. 
Postlewaite, Elizabeth J., 222. 

Jennie L., 208. 

Joseph E. S., 208, 209. 

J. A. J., 222. 

J- J-, 249. 
Potter family, 129. 

George L., 129. 

James, 53-58. 

Joshua, 259. 

Joshua T., 259. 

Mrs. James, 54. 

W. W., 78. 
Potts, C. J., 322. 
Pottsville, 82. 
Powell, J. T., 308. 
Pratt, Mrs., 348. 
Prayers, 12, 13, 15, 84, 104, 153, 171, 211, 

292. 
Presbyterian, The, 35, 337. 

Advocate, 188. 

Banner, 34, 162, 188. 

Messenger, 176. 
Preston, D. A. K., 193. 
Prideaux, Thomas, 305. 

T. A., 131. 

William O., 14, 123, 130, 139, 141, 145, 
165, 178, 190, 210, 212, 215, 228, 229, 
232, 239, 249, 274, 282, 319, 358. 



412 



INDEX. 



Princeton College, loi, ii; 
148, 175, 180, 181, 192, ; 
Proctor, Mrs. S. A., 347. 
Protzer, Mr., 300. 
Province, Elizabeth, 291. 

Thomas, 291. 
Pry, Patrick, 46. 
Purcell, Isaac, 277. 

Susan, 309. 
Purdy, James, 196, 287. 
Puritans, 102. 

Rabold, David, 138. 

Gottlieb, 138. 
Raffensperger, A. S., 323. 
Ralston, Mrs. S., 304. 
Ramey, Pa., 130, 2io, 352. 
Ramsay, Mr., 100. 

William, 48. 
Ramsey, Archibald, 168. 

C. N., 323. 

John, 242. 

Lemuel, 215. 
Rankin, Adam, 266. 

Alec, 242. 
.James, 258. 

James H., 78. 

John, 259. 

J. J., 298- 

J. M., 228, 319. 

William, 258. 
Rasler, Ann, 47. 

Catherine, 46. 

John, 46. 

Susanna, 46. 
Raven, Alfred N., 290. 
Rayhom, John, 178. 
Rea, James B., 165. 

James D., 301. 

Judge, 102. 

Rev., 51, 66, 68. 
Read, Boss, 146. 

Frank B., 140, 144. 

John A., 146, 323. 

John R., 144. 

Jordan, 146. 

Miles, 144. ' 

Mrs., 316. 

Thompson, 144. 



146, 



Reamer, Mrs. Ida, 353. 
Rearick, George, 259. 

William, 264. 
Redlands, Calif., 236. 

Redstone Presbytery, 7, 161, 163, 188, 285. 
Reed, Andrew^, 81. 

B. F., 308. 

family, 54. 

Henry T., 152. 

James, 69, 149. 

James, Jr., 70. 

John, 70, 76, 80, 149, 168. 

John R, 144. 

J. Smyth, 302. 

Mary, 47. 

Mrs. Thomas, 192. 

Peter A., 229. 

Robert, 322. 

Samuel, 46. 

Thomas, 151, 192. 

Wesley, 1 17, 119. 

William, 154, 343. 
Reedsville, Pa., 57, 68, 148, 153, 186, 322. 
Rees, Rev., 116. 
Reformed Church, 128, 151, 155, 186, 307. 

Dutch, 70. 
Revivals, 172, 180, 181, 191, 199, 200, 202, 
213, 215, 217, 219, 223, 224,226-228, 257, 

291, 303- 
Revolutionary War, loi, 105, 148. 
Rex, H. D., 131. 

Reuben J., 158, 159. 

William H., 212, 213, 314. 
Reynolds family, 54, 321. 
' John, 56. 

Mr., 77. 

William, 56. 
Rhea, Rev., 200. 
Rhule, David, 294. 
Rice, Absalom, 215. 
Richards, Mary, 120. 
Richardson, Edmund, 69, 149. 
Richison, Hugh, 242. 
Riddle, James, 77. 

John B., 165. 

Judge, 72. 

Mrs. A. B., 322. 

Robert, 165, 169. 

Samuel, 77, 168. 



413 



Rider, William L., 138. 
Risher, Levi, 147. 
Ritchey, Emma, 311. 
Rittenhouse family, 60. 
Roan family, 100. 
Roaring Springs, Pa., 278. 
Robb, Daniel, 179. 

Wilson, 108. 
Roberts, Benj. S., 158. 

Milnor, 100. 

William, 158. 

William H., 232, 233. 

W. C, 354. 
Robertsdale Church, 237, 320. 
Robertsdale, Pa., 237. 
Robertson, David, 233. 

George W., 151. 

William, 144, 273, 274, 277. 
Robeson, Andrew^, 138. 
Robinson family, 100. 

George, 56. 

James, 164. 

James L., 247. 

Jeremiah, 246. 

Robert, 179. 

Thomas A., 257, 264, 326. 

Thomas H., 116, 347. 
Robison, Effie, 323. 

John, 290. 

William, 308. 
Rocky Mountain Presbytery, 349. 
Roedel, H. H., 316. 
Roller, George W., 294. 

Ida, 301. 

James, 293, 294, 300. 

Joshua, 102, 293, 300. 

Mrs. James, 300. 

Mrs. Joshua, 301. 
Roman Catholics, 237, 238. 
Rosebaugh, Isaac, 165. 
Rosenberry, John, 306. 
Ross, Elizabeth E., 208. 

James, 45, 67, 298. 

John, 45. 

J. €.,315. 

Miss M. M., 312. 

Mrs., 339. 

Mrs. R., 315. 

S. M., 113, 119. 



Ross, William S., I13, 311. 
Rothrock, Abraham, 192, 207, 300. 

Anna Irene, 208. 

A., 206. 

Catherine, 208. 

Jacob, 249. 

Mary E., 208. 

S. H., 322. 

Wealthy E., 208. 
Rouse's Psalms, 262, 265-268. 
Roush, William, 304. 
Route Presbytery, 151, i86. 
Rowland, Thomas, 295. 
Royer, Sarah, 291. 
Ruddy, S. G., 319. 
Rung, J. F., 276. 
Rupert, Clara B., 208. 

William G., 208. 
Ruskin, 103. 
Russell, Ellen, 316. 

Jacob J., 278. 

Joshua D., 270. 

J. C, 115,322. 

J. L,, 114, 115, 119, 174, 312,357,359. 

Mrs. John, 339. 

Mrs. J. L., 312, 358, 359. 

Mrs. William, 334, 335, 339, 357. 

Samuel L., 77. 

William, 182, 307. 
Rutherford family, 100. 

W. M., 243. 
Rutledge, Alexander, 294. 

Salem Church, 218. 
Sample family, 304. 

James, 219. 

R. F., 277. 
Sampson, J. R., 120. 
San Anselmo, Calif., 250. 
Sanford, Abraham, 70. 
San Francisco, Calif., 329. 

Theological Seminary, 267. 
Sankey, Thomas, 56, 70, 149. 
Sansom, Harvey, 282. 

J. R., 147, 282. 
Sargent, John H., 139, 178, 230, 232, 295. 
Sartain, Mrs. J. R., 314. 
Saxton Church, 239, 282 297, 29S, 328. 
Sayers, Henry, 225. 



414 



Saylor, Roxanna C, 209. 

Schell, William P., 77, 322. 

Schellsburg Church, 122, 210, 211, 239, 282, 

326. 
Schellsburg, Pa., 352. 
Schenck, A. V. C, 155. 
Schum, F., L. 306. 

Schuyler W. H., 155, 174, 239, 298, 339. 
Scollon, Richard, 233. 

Scotch-Irish seitlers, 18, 53, 60, 65, 70, 83, 
99, 100-102, 105, 142, 147, 159, 183, 250, 
251, 300. 
Scotch settlers, 65, 70, 99, 100, 237, 238. 

Valley, no. 
Scotland, 100, 243. 
Scott, Emma, 313. 

George K., 237, 239, 248. 

James, 69, 149. 

Jennie, 112. 

John, 12, 80, 82, 98, 108, 170, 273, 302. 

Mrs. George K., 352, 

Samuel J., 233. 

William, 242. 
Scovel, Mrs. S. F., 346. . 

S. F., 114. 
Sechler, Emma, 315. 

Eva, 315. 

Mary Ann, 315. 

Matilda, 222. 

Melinda, 315. 

T. R., 315- 
Secretary of Treasury, 73. 
Sedgewick, Sarah, 46. 
Seeds, R. S., 277. 
Seibert, Adam, 281. 

Clementina, 47. 

John P., 141. 

William, 47. 
Sellers, Jacob, 293. 
Settlers, 17, 18, 43, 65, 70, 83, 159, 164, 197, 

200, 287, 295, 299. 
Seven Mountains, 66. 
Sewickly, Pa., 162. 
Shade Gap Church, 229, 237, 238, 243, 244, 

248, 281, 341. 

Shade Gap, Pa., 34, loi, 238, 240-243, 244, 

249, 309. 310- 

Shaeffer, George W., 221, 228, 249, 315. 
Shafer, John, U2. 



Shafer, Mary, 112. 
Shaffer, F. W., 195. 

James E., 233. 

Samuel, 129. 
Shamokin Church, 258. 
Shand, A. C, no, 311. 
Shannon, John, 259. 
Sharer, Evalina, 209. 
Sharp, Samuel, 192, 300. 
Shaver, Edgar, 319. 

James M., 221. 

Jane, 222. 

John, 169. 

Margaret, 45. 

Mrs. James, 315. 

Peter, 222, 315. 
Shaver's Creek Church, 61, 67, 70, 

179, 189, 248, 326, 342. 
Shaver's Creek Valley, 60. 
Shaw, Archibald, 142, 144. 

Harvey, 140, 2'39, 282, 298. 

John, 242. 

Mary, 307. 

Mary Dorris, 360. 

Mrs. R. H., 357. 

Rob'ert, 167. 

William, 107, 180. 
Sheaffer, Charles E., 209. 

Clara E., 209. 

Frederick F., 209. 
Shearer, George L., 48. 

Henry R., 320. 

Jacob, 231. 
Sheasley, David, 232, 320. 
Shehan, John C, 209. 

Mary, 209. 
Shell, John, 241. 
Sheller, Christian, 107. 
Shelley, A. W., 236, 314. 
Shepherd, James, 59, 60. 
Sherrard, P. J., 329. 

Rev. Thomas J., 198, 289. 
Shields, Robert, 62. 
Shiloh, 321. 
Shippen, Judge, 72. 
Shippensburg, 43, 244. 
Shirk, J. T., 323. 

P. M., 323. 

Theodore, 276, 277. 



I, 168, 



INDEX. 



415 



Shirleysburg Church, 220-224, 


228 


229, 242, 


Smiley, Agnes, 120. 


244, 250. 






Ann, 120. 


Shirleysburg, Pa., 70, 159, 211 






F. E., 172. 


Shirlock, Alexander, 45. 






James W., 120-122, 313. 


Shively, Mary, 209. 






Maggie L., 120. 


Moses, 209. 






Robert, i.?o. 


Shoanfelt, James, 120, I2i. 






Sadie, 306. 


Shoenberger estate, 80. 






Smith, Charles, 168. 


Shorter Catechism, 63, m, 14 


2, i6r, 307. 


Elizabeth, 295. 


Shotwell, Nathan, 151. 






G. W., 300. 


Shoup, Abraham, 295. 






Henry B., 144. 


Elizabeth, 295. 






James, 189, 45, 161, 164, 21 


Shryock, L. B. W., 202. 






James W., 138. 


Shulze, Governor, 73. 






John, 45, 240, 248. 


Siam, 238, 247, 331, 339. 






Joseph, 165, 301. 


Sigler, Alice, 193. 






Letitia, 301. 


Jacob, 192. 






Margaret, 243. 


Johnson, 192. 






Mrs. F. A., 354. 


Robert A., 192. 






Rebecca, 301. 


Samuel, 192. 






Richard, 301. 


Siglerville, Pa., 218. 






Robert W., 165. 


Sill, James A., 174, 211. 






Samuel, 209. 


John, 211, 240. 






Thomas, 72, 161, 165. 


Silverthorn, John, 45. 






William, 72, 169, 308. 


Simcox, F. E., 143. 






W. D., 162. 


Simons, Alfred, 315. 






Smyth, David, 301. 


Lucy, 222, 315, 316. 






William, 301. 


Simpson, H. I., 112. 






Snakes, 59, 105. 


James, 179, 204. 






Snively, A. K., 240. 


John, 169. 






Snook, Hannah, 209. 


John W., 164. 






Josiah W., 209. 


J. R., 302, 170. 






Mary A., 209. 


Matthew, 169. 






Snowfden, Isaac, 340. 


Robert, 169. 






Snow-shoe Church, 178, 220, 22 


William, 169. 






Snow-shoe City, Pa., 220. 


Sinclair, Angus, 264. 






Snyder, Jane, 47. 


Singapore, 154. 






John, 47, 180. 


Sinking Creek Church, 55, 57, 61 


,62 


250-258, 


Keziah, 222. 


260, 264, 326. 






Society of the Cincinnati, loi. 


Sinking Valley Church, 63, 108, 


125, 


137, 189, 


Somerset, 76. 


193, 194, 199, 260, 


261- 


264, 272, 


Sommerville, James, 124. 


273, 283,291,362. 






James L., 129, 327, 327. 


Gleaners, 362. 






Miss, 335. 


Six Mile Run, 237. 




^ 


Mr., 294. 


Slab Cabin Branch Chmxh, 55 


56, 


251-253, 


South America, 331, 333, 338. 


318. 






South Carolina, 102. 


Slep, Harry, 113, 312. 






South Iowa Synod, 144. 


Smart's Horace, 171. 






Southeastern Church, 303. 


Smeiser, Samuel, 45. 






Spear, James, 246. 



317,328. 



.16 



Speddy, W. W., 230. 
Speer, Dr., 344. 

Gordon, 242. 

James, 241. 

James H., 326. 

Jane, 291. 

Mary, 202. 

Mrs. George P., 306. 

Robert, 81. 

Robert M., 81. 

R. E., 302, 335. 

Thomas P., 189. 

William, 81, 291, 293. 

William S., 293. 
Spence, James, 146. 
Spencer, John, 61. 

Spooner, A. W., 1 15, 1 16, 1 18, 120, 175. 
Spring Creek Church, 42, 55-57, 122, 140, 
234, 250, 252, 253, 255-260, 270, 271, 277, 
278, 318, 325- 
Spring Mills Church, 167, 252, 258, 259, 264. 
Spring Mills, Pa., 54, 56. 

Spruce Creek Church, 61, 62, 108, 125, 137, 
188, 189, 234, 261-269, 272, 273, 

33i>339- 
School-House, 199. 
Second Church, 266-268, 298. 
Valley, 60, 264. 
Spruce Creek, Pa., 263. 
St. Clairville Church, 298. 

Presbytery, 1 15, 276. 
Stake, Frank, 231. 
Standing Stone, 60, 169, 171, 361. 

Church, 70. 
Starkey, Elizabeth 47. 
Margaret, 47. 
Martha, 47. 
Stuart, 47. 
William, 47. 
Starrett, Isabella, 47. 
Samuel, 47. 
Sarah, 47. 
State College Church, 251, 258, 259, 270, 271. 
College (the), 272. 
Senate, 73, 82, 143, 247. 
S. S. Convention, 114, 115. 
State College, Pa., 253, 258, 270, 271. 
Steele, David, 59. 
family, 60. 



Steele, James, 128, 167. 

Samuel, 169. 

William, 246. 
Steiner, George H., 232, 233. 
Stephenson, Ross, 285. 

Sterrett, David, 137, 163, 194, 206, 217, 218, 
226, 243, 248, 273, 296. 

James P., 48, 82. 

Samuel, 192. 

William, 201. 
Steubenville First Church, 145. 

Presbytery, 289. 
Stevens, Matthew, 23, 42, 60, 62,67, 70. "32, 
160, 179, 204, 248. 

Mrs. T. P., 327. 

Peter, 169. 

Robert, 174. 
Stevenson, Anna E., 208. 

I. H., 136. 

Thomas, 157, 266. 

William, 207. 

William P., 208, 209. 
Stewart, Catherine W., 330, 334, 335, 338, 
339. 350- 

C. E., 321. 

David, 107, 267, 291. 

Elizabeth, 291, 302. 

family, 1 00, loi. 

George, 214. 

George B., 65. 

Jacob, 108. 

James, 180, 291. 

Jane, 291. 

John, 45, 291, 293. 

John A., 165, 301. 

John W., 271. 

Joseph, 214. 

J. H., 48, 203, 236, 289, 314. 

Kate, 315. 

Lucy, 306. 

Margaret, 821, 355. 

Martha J., 209. 

Mrs. Hugh, 314. 

Robert, 45, 117. 

R. Bruce, 192. 

S. C, 136, 138, 303. 

T. Calvin, 108, 303. 

William, 45, 107, 142. 

W. E., 99, 107, 108. 



417 



Stiles, Henry Howard, 13, 1 16, 364. 
Stine, Daniel D., 279, 280. 

Hannah C, 208. 

Hannah E., 208. 

Maggie B., 209. 

North A., 208. 

Rebecca C, 208. 
Stiner, George, 107. 
Stitt, Archibald, 242. 
Stoke, Florence, 121. 

Joseph, 122. 
Stone, D. D., 202, 310. 
Stoneroad, Joel, 193. 

Thomas, 192. 
Stonerod, Lewis, 230. 
Story of the Token, 62. 
Stoves, 105, 246. 
Strain, John B., 189, 190, 232. 
Strode, Anna E., 209. 

Anna M., 209. 

Catherine, 209. 

Joseph, 180. 

Maggie J., 209. 
Strouse, George W., 202, 236. 
Stryker, Peter, 107. 

William, 107, 108, 303. 
Stuart, General, 199. 

James H., 151, 187,' 283. 

James T., 259. 

John W., 270. 

William, 63, 146, 250, 252, 255, 258, 
259. 283. 
Stubbs, Simon T., 215. 
Stuckey, Richard M., 240. 
Study, Mollie, 316. 
Stump, Matthias, 231. 
Sturdy, Charles A., 279. 
Sunbury, 68. 

Sunday-School, 107, 109, 112-115, 117, 119- 
122, 129, 145, 154/ 157. 166, 167, 170, 173, 
175-178, 179-182, 192, 201, 209, 212-214, 
219, 222-224, 228-230, 233, 234, 237, 238, 
253, 270, 277, 279, 280, 290, 294, 299-330, 
332, 359. 361- 
Sunderland, Ella, 209. 

Supreme Court, 72-75, 78, 79, 82, loi, 288. 
Sutherland, W. B., 229. 
Swan family, loo. 

Samuel, 262. 



j Swan, William, 241, 246, 310. 
Swansey, William, 183, 207. 
Swartz, Matilda, 209. 
Switzerland, 99, 100. 
Swoope, Catherine, 311. 

Peter, 169. 
Swope, A. W., 212, 314, 315. 

Henry W., 108. 
Syria, 312, 331, 358. 

Table of Contents, 3. 
Tacoma, 219. 
Tague, John, 242. 
Takens, Fisher, 45. 
Tanner, Hugh, 169. 
Tate, Jennie, 304. 

Samuel L., 78, 155. 
Taylor, Amanda, 315. 

Eliza, 295. 

George, 75, 80, 124. 

George W., 240. 

Henry, 70, 149, 151. 

I. N.ewton, 224. 

James, 240. 

James R., 227. 

John P., 22, 48. 

J. L., 309. 

Mary A., 209. 

Matthew, 69, 149, 150, 241, 246. 

Mrs. A. E., 242. 

Robert, 242. 

Robert M., 211, 240, 326. 

Samuel, 285. 

Sue, 326. 
Telfer, Jane, 47. 
Templeton, Alexander, 264, 306. 

Chambers O., 277, 278, 306, 316. 
Tennent, William, 41. 
Thomas, Elmer M., 120, 121. 

Evan, 259. 

G. D., 108. 

John B., 178, 317. 

J. E., 304. 

Mary, 304. 

Mrs. E. M., 302. 

M. Maud, 121. 

Nancy, 304. 

Sarah C, 317. 

Selina G., 272. 



4i8 



Thomas, Thomas, 259. 

W. B., 108. 
Thompson, Adam, 45. 

Albert, 220, 310. 

Alexander, 74. 

Anna, 314. 

Biidd, 124. 

B. F., 319. 

D. M., 147, 322. 

family, 324. 

Frank, 301. 

George W., 44, 49, 102, 153, 156, 201, 
214, 273, 292,310,314, 328. 

Henry, 56. 

Ira, 220. 

James, 99, 106, 355. 

John I., 122, 124, 259, 318. 

John M., 314. 

Joseph, 317. 

Moses, 122, 259, 318. 

Mrs., 45. 

Mrs. E. W., 318. 

Mrs. Lucy, 339. 

Mrs. L. K., 318. 

Mrs. M. W., 339, 359. 

Mrs. Ner., 352. 

M. W., 114. 

Robert, 220. 

Sallie, 318. 

Samuel, 136. 

Sidney, 199. 

Sue, 322. 

S. T., 219, 220. 

Thomas, 54, 70, 149, 233, 324. 

William, 54, 70, 107, 149, 259, 318. 

William F., 140, 141. 

William S., 319. 
Thomson, John, 158, 324. 
Tilghman, Judge, 72. 
Tipton, 193, 196, 314. 
Titusville First Church, 1 14. 
Tod, John, 73. 
Token, 62. 

Townsend, Peter, 192. 
Trimmer, James W., 31 1. 
Troub, George B., 232. 
Troxell, Lizzie, 209. 

Sallie J., 209. 

Samuel M., 207, 209. 



Tucker, Mrs., 358. 
Turbett, Nancy, 47. 

Thomas, 45. 
Turner, Elias, 124. 

Joseph B., 116, 121. 
Tuscarora Academy, 42, 44, 48, 201-203, 
275- 
Church, 19, 51, 66, 197, 287. 
Creek, 50, 63. 
Mountain, 7, 17, 42. 

Valley, 34, 42, 44, 49, 50, 65, 67, 200, 
201, 214, 235, 236, 240, 273, 287. 
Tussey, David, 107. 
John, 102, 305. 
John M., 264, 306. 
Mary, 306. 
Samuel C, 199. 
Tyrone Church, 31, 108, 127, 131, 133, 194, 
263, 264, 272-276, 280, 316. 
Endeavorer, 280. 
Forges, 303, 304. 
Tyrone, Pa., 115, 177, 189, 193, 195, 218, 
231, 263, 266, 271, 273, 275, 280, 329, 334, 
335> 339. 357-360, 362, 364. 



Union Church, 155, 165, 199, 232-234. 

School-House, in. 
Uniontown Church, 115. 
Unionville Church, 123, 323, 324. 
Unionville, Pa., 122, 123, 216. 
United Brethren, 272. 
United Session, 107. 
United States, 99, loi. 

Army, 184. 

Consul, 238. 

District Court, 73. 

Navy, 163. 

Senate, 75, 81. 

Supreme Court, loi. 
Unity Church, 298. 
University of Michigan, 136. 

of Pennsylvania 136. 
Upper Church, 42. 
Upper Tuscarora Church, 67, 214, 240-243, 

280, 281, 309, 326. 
Upper Wayne, 60, 204. 
Utah, 354, 357. 
Utely, T. M., 81. 



419 



Van Artsdalen, Garrett, 244. 

Z., 248, 281. 
Vanderwender, Peter, 169. 
Vandyke, David, 259. 

Heniy, 108, 129. 

N. D., 236. 
Van Fries, Samuel, 259. 
Van Kirk, John, 46. 
Vanneman, Mrs., 338. 
Van Ormer, William, 323. 
Van Zandt, William, 225. 
Vaughn, W. R., 240. 
Vaun, William, 247. 
Vindication of Doctrines, 171. 
Virginia, 102. 
Vitto, 280, 317. 

Waddle, William, 201. 
Waite, A. L. R., 131. 
Wakefield, Emma M., 209. 

William, 207. 
Walker, Charles C, 354, 356. 

Emma, 313. 

J. H., 73, 78. 

Kate, 322. 

Mrs. C. E., 342. 

Robert J., 73. 
Wallace, James, 281. 

J. Elliot, 114, 115. 

Miss L. G., 112. 

Mrs. Thomas, 357. 

Robert, 281. 

Robert M., 13, 84, 109, iii, 113,152, 
153, 172, 191-193, 197, 199, 2i9> 274, 
297. 

Samuel, 214. 

William A., 79, 144. 

W. S., 82. 
Wallace-Hoge family, 100. 
Wallace-Weir family, 100. 
Wallen, S. S., 184, 215. 
Walter, Jacob, 179. 

Samuel, 242. 
Walton Quarries, 153. 
Ward, Israel, 134, 137, 266. 

Thomas, 244. 

William E., 233. 
Warrants, 7. 
Warrick, Amy, 243. 



Warrick, George, 243. 

Warrior's Mark Church, 42, 55, 66, 62,. 68, 
131-133. 137. 250, 254, 261, 264, 
303, 304- 
Valley, 60. 
Warrior's Mark, Pa., 62, 133. 
Washabaugh, Mr., 2U. 

Washington and Jefferson College, 136, 161- 
163, 17s, 238. 

Church, 220. 

F Street Church, 163. 

Presbytery, 151. 
Washingtonian movement, 36, 44. 
Wason, John, 259. 
Watchman, Mr., 325. 

Mrs., 325. 

William, 166. 
Waterford, 66. 
Waterloo Church, 241. 

Presbytery, 339, 347. 
Waters, James, 241. 

William, 246. 
Waterside Church, 282, 298. 
Waterside, Pa., 282, 328. 
Watson, John, 54. 

R. A., 228, 249. 
Watts, Frederick, 76. 
Waugh, Alexander, 164. 

Joseph, 164. 
Wayne Church, 70, 242. 

Township, 60, 67. 
Way nesburg Church, 179, 180,204-206,225, 

226. 
Waynesburg, Pa., 309, 322, 328. 
Weaver, George, 308. 

John F., 144. 

J. C, 129. 

T. D., 317. 
Weaverling, George P., 326. 
Welch, Asbel, 318. 

A. S., 224. 

C. G., 230. 

Robert, 242. 
Wellesley College, 136. 
Wellsboro Presbytery, 166, 345. 
Welty, H. S., 198, 199. 
Wertz, James, 211. 
Wesley, Joseph, 70. 
Western Presbyterian [The], 162. 



420 



INDEX. 



Western Theological Seminary, 34, 47, 113, 

144, 199, 238, 276. 
Westfield Westminster Church, 114. 
West Jersey Presbytery, 188. 
West Kishacoquillas Church, 42, 57, 68, 70, 
148, 150, 151, 179, 185-188, 205, 
282-286, 321, 351. 
neighborhood, 68. 
Westminster Church, 287-290, 304, 305, 323, 
362. 

Church of New York, 277. 

Hall, 176. 

Presbytery, 189. 
Westmoreland County, 82. 
Weston, John, 169. 
West Penn's Valley Church, 42, 55, 132, 137, 

250, 251, 254. 
West Penn's Valley, Pa., 60. 
West Philadelphia, 81. 
Wharton, Alice, 47. 

Benjamin C, 224, 316. 

John, 45. 

Joseph, 309. 

Mrs. S. K., 320. 

Priscilla, 47. 

Samuel, 46. 

S. K., 232, 320. 

William, 45. 
Wheatland, Pa., 305. 
Wheeler, F. T., 145, 175, 320. 
Whipp, Etta, 306. 
Whitall, David, 55. 
White, John, 137, 194. 

John J., 315. 

J. W., 310. 

Mrs. J. W., 333-335- 

Mrs. W. P., 354. 

N. G., 41, 292. 
Whitehead, Clara J., 209. 
Whiteside, William B., 131, 305. 
Whiteside Run, Pa., 167. 
Whitmer Land and Coal Company, 175. 
Whitney, A. J., 276. 
Whittaker, John, 343. 

John A., 107, 108. 

Miss, 302. 

William, 108. 

William A., 107. 
Whitter, A. J., 316. 



Whitzel, Catherine, 291. 
Wiestling family, 100. 
Wiggin, Simonton, 100. 
Wiggins, Thomas H., 311, 353. 

T. M., no. 
Wigton family, 321. 

Thomas S., 312. 

T.H., 113, 114,119. 
Wikel, W. W., 324. 
Wilder, Mr., 358. 

Wilhelm, J. C, 231, 232, 239, 282, 298, 326. 
Wilkesbarre, Pa., 75. 
Williams, George, 1 28. 

George C, 259. 

John, 43, 45, 46, 201, 202. 

Joseph, 128. 

Nancy E., 47. 

Robert George, 157, 158, 178. 

Robert L., 235. 

Samuel, 45. 

W., 301. 
Williams College, 136. 
Williamsburg Church, 61, 63, 161, 225, 262, 

290-293, 300, 328, 334. 
Williamson, James, 189, 218, 283, 285. 

John, 80. 

McKnight, 34,47-49, 201, 213, 232. 

William M., 248. 
Williamsport, Pa., 347. 
Willims, Daniel, 239. 
Wills, Samuel, 69, 149. 
Wilson, Ada Bell, 209. 

Alice, 209. 

A. P., 80. 

A. S., 67, 75, 76. 

Benjamin F., 229. 

Bertha Larue, 209. 

Charles, 165. 

David, 102, 236. 

Emory, 196. 

family, 54, 100, loi. 

George, 107, 241, 247, 286. 

George W., 290, 304. 

Gertrude C, 209. 

Henry K., 239. 

Henry S., 286. 

Hugh, 225, 307. 

H. R., 63, 64, 125, 128, 142, 146, 152, 
172, 183. 



INDEX. 



421 



Wilson, Ida, 305. 

James, 56, 138, 264, 283, 285, 305. 

James D., 264. 

James M., 286. 

Jennie E., 209. 

John, 246, 283, 285, 286. 

John C, 113, 209, 220, 310, 311. 

John F., 276-279. 

John G., 158, 324. 

John Henry, 248. 

John R., 319. 

John W., 286, 301. 

Joseph M., 140, 141, 319. 

J. Banks, 199. 

Lydia N., 357. 

Mabel I., 209. 

Maggie, 323. 

Maria, 300. 

Mary, 209. 

Miles Cooper, 286. 

Mr., 62. 

Mrs. David, 334. 

Mrs. M. H., 335, 339. 

Mrs. Robert F., 352, 354. 

Mrs. William P., 343, 347, 348. 

Nancy, 307. 

Nathaniel, 207, 209. 

Nicholas, 242. 

Peter, 56, 264, 307. 

Rev., 336. 

Robert, 242. 

Robert F., 7, 14, 48, 68, 104, 130, 147, 
152, 153, iS5> 158, i59> 167, 172, 174, 
194, 197, 201, 232, 237, 248, 264, 286. 

Rosanna, 209. 

Samuel, 56, 99, 106, 132, 156, 249, 286, 
295- 

Samuel T., 132, 136, 137, 152, 164, 172, 
216, 232, 234, 248. 

S. G., 195, 196. 

S. T., 329. 

Thomas, 183, 242, 246. 

Walter S., 207, 209. 

William, 69, 149, 207, 242, 259. 

W. P., 78. 

W. S., 209, 
Wilson College, 128. 
Winburne Church, 178, 179, 294, 327. 
Winburne, Pa., 179. 



Winterburn Church, 298. 
Wirt, Anna, 209. 

David N., 209. 

Emma J., 209. 

George H., 209. 

Irene E., 209. 

Jacob L., 209. 

Jacob R., 207, 209, 322. 

John O., 209. 

Mary B., 209. 

Phcebe R., 209. 

Sarah, 209. 

Thomas H., 209. 
Wise, Harvey, 236. 

Uriah, 215, 236. 
Wisley, Joseph, 149. 
WitheroMf, Eleanor E., 209. 

John, 158. 

Noah, 324. 

Rebecca C, 209. 

Samuel, 207. 

Samuel H., 158. 

William, 158. 
Wolf, B. F., 313. 

J. J., 145, 17s, 227, 228. 
Wolfe, Paul L., 138. 
Wolverton, W. H., 107. 
Woman's College, 136. 

Woman's Home and Foreign Missions, 118, 
122, 129, 137, 154, 162, 174, 182, 224, 230, 
233, 234, 269, 272, 280, 290, 294, 330- 
360. 
Woman's Work for Women, 332, 337. 
Wood, D. W., 329. 

T. Morris, 213, 314. 
Woodburn, James S., 202. 
Woodcock, Mrs. S. M., 348, 350, 352-354, 

356, 358, 359- 

William W., 157, 233, 324. 
Woodland Church, 140, 295, 328. 
Woodring, Candace, 323. 

D. E., 317. 

Jacob, 124, 323. 

S. B., 305. 
Woods, D. W., II, 13, 64, 76, 81, 102, 153, 
182, 289, 306, 307. 

Elder, 152. 

George, 54, 235, 258. 

G. H., 304. 



422 



Woods, James S., 29, 34, 180-182, 205, 217, 
225, 248, 284, 302. 

Margaret, 307. 

Mrs. K. M., 304. 

Mrs. W. H., 49, 338, 357. 

Robert, 45. 

Samuel, 249. 

S. S., 76. 

Walker, 339. 

William S., 248. 
Woodside, James, 23 1 . 

John, 281. 
Woodward, G. W., 75, 76. 
Wooster College, 136, 144. 
Wooster, Ohio, 1 14. 
Work, Alexander, 214. 

John, 215. 

William, 108. 
Wray, D. L., 195. 
Wright, Anna, 326. 

J. Elliot, 116. 

Mrs. W. W., 315. 

Watson W., 213, 315. 

W. O., 139, 141,178, 184,215, 216,220, 
221, 229, 232, 317. 
Wrye, John, 138. 
Wyeth family, 100. 
Wylie, David, 23, 42, 56, 57, 133, 255, 258. 

Samuel B., 243. 

S. T., 329. 



Wylie, William, 259. 
W. T., 128, 129. 

Yale College, 146. 
Yearick, Thomas, 264. 
Yeater, James, 229. 
William, 301. 
Yeates, Judge, 72. 

Yellow Creek Church, 282, 295-298, 328, 355. 
Yeomans, Alfred, 127, 128, 215. 

Edward, 127. 
York, Pa., 201. 
Yorktown, 102. 
Young, Anthony, 179. 

S. W., 199, 200, 263, 264. 
William, 69, 149. 
Young Ladies' Missionary Society, 118, 122, 

182, 224, 290. 
Youngman, B. C, 144. 

D. C, 308. 
Y. P. S. C. E., 116, 118, 121, 122, 129, 137, 
145, 154, 167, 174-177, 179, 182, 209,224, 
228, 230, 233, 237, 270, 272, 280, 290, 294, 
332, 358, 362-364. 



Zahnizer, George W., 
Zeigler, Squire, 242. 
Zellery, Jacob, 301. 
Ziglar, Lucinda, 209. 
Zurich, 99. 



102, 172, 297. 



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